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B.J. McCall: Happy Ever After
Friday, March 21st, 2014

Happy Ever After

I love a good book and I have been an avid reader since childhood. I read a variety of genres, including romance. I write sensual romance and a happy-ever-after ending is a must. I’ve written contemporary, sci-fi, urban fantasy and paranormal stories, but the core of my story is the romance between the hero and heroine.

A romance story has several key moments. The first time the hero and heroine meet, their first kiss, the first time they make love and the moment they realize they are in love. As a sensual romance writer I want to build the sexual tension between my hero and heroine so their first kiss must sizzle and the first time they make love must rock their worlds. The first love scene between my hero and heroine is a moment of commitment, even if one or both may not realize it at the time. When the I’m-in-love moment arrives their lives and hearts are changed forever.

In my dragon and werewolf books the concept of a true mate, life commitment and no divorces are part of my shifter’s culture. In my contemporary, sci-fi, futuristic and fantasy stories my characters must meet his or her soul mate. My hunky hero must be willing to put it all on the line for his woman and my feisty heroine has to adore everything about him, even his flaws.

BJM_NightSins_thumbThe idea of forever may present a conflict for time-travel, fantasy and vampire characters. What happens when one of your characters is almost immortal and the other is human? In Night Sins, my cop heroine is faced with the dilemma of joining her vampire lover in his dark world or remaining in a society where she is now considered a criminal. In Kela’s Guardian, my heroine is confronted with falling in love with a man who has lived for centuries and can only be killed by demons. The author must resolve these issues for the reader and having the hero and heroine walk away from one another on the last page isn’t an option.

Not all of my books may end at the altar, but there is a deep commitment between my main characters, an understanding of a future together and hopefully a satisfying ending for the reader.

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Vampires, demons and a sexy hunk from a mystical galaxy? Kela’s life has taken a decidedly supernatural turn.

Excerpt

The vampires lunged at Kela. Using both stakes she slashed, striking arms and lacerating hands. Their attack came in waves of four. Wounded, the first group retreated. Hissing, the second group flew at Kela. One grabbed her cross and shrieked, releasing it as black smoke streamed from her hand.

Despite the gashes and cuts Kela inflicted, Roland’s creations continued their assault. Arms burning with fatigue, Kela backed farther into the alley. Long, claw-like fingernails slashed out, ripping at her leather jacket. In the mayhem, Roland had vanished. Why hadn’t he stayed and finished her off?

Kela stabbed and jabbed, forcing two vampires to retreat. As quickly as the attack had begun, it stopped. As if on cue the vampires lifted their heads and sniffed the air. The vampires ran toward the street, then shrieked at the top of their lungs.

A head flew across the alley and smashed into the wall. Another head tumbled through the air, hit and bounced over the asphalt. A man with long, black hair, dressed in a black vest and black pants, holding a thin-bladed sword waded through the group of screeching vampires.

The remaining vampires split apart, slinking back against the walls, their fear of the sword-wielding man palpable. Leaving their fallen sisters behind, the vampires scrambled up the walls of the alley and disappeared over the rooftops.

The stranger turned toward Kela.

The path to the street blocked, fear spiked through her. Despite the adrenaline rush, she was no match for this guy. Raising the wooden stakes, Kela prepared for his attack. At least she’d go down fighting.

*~*~*~*~*~*

B.J. McCall’s Night Sins and Kela’s Guardian are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance Ebooks.

https://www.amazon.com/author/bjmccall
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/B-J-McCall?store=book&keyword=B.J.+McCall
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=B.J.+McCall

www.bjmccall.com

Keira Kohl: Spring has not sprung…
Thursday, March 20th, 2014

Spring Has Not Sprung

Today is supposed to be the first day of spring. It certainly doesn’t feel like it. We’re supposed to have scattered flurries today.  Winter is my least favourite season because of that fluffy white stuff. I look forward to spring every year because that means the weather is getting warmer, the snow will melt away and more sunshine is always good. I live in a university town so spring also means the mass exodus of students in May. The town goes back to normal, no loud parties keeping us up at night. The coming of spring makes me want to clean out the house, open the windows and enjoy the longer days.

The start of spring last year was when I got the idea for my short story Laundry Day. How can doing laundry be sexy? I didn’t know either when the idea first came to me. I mean, to me, laundry is a chore I’d rather not do. So it piles up until I have no clothes to wear and have no choice but throw a few loads in the washer.  When I thought about a character walking down the stairs carrying a laundry basket full of clothes, wearing nothing at all, the idea evolved to a co-ed laundry day party.

The story was a blast to write but a challenge. The whole turning an every day chore into something sexy stumped me at first. I had the image in my head of a woman holding that basket but no idea how she got there or why she did laundry naked.  Gradually the idea developed  into a kind of key party but with a twist. Carmela runs an apartment complex for swingers. Her key party of choice is actually a laundry day party – clothing prohibited.

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Excerpt:

Naked, sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed, Carm studied Declan as he pulled his clothes out of the washing machine and tossed them into the dryer. Spending the day naked with a hot guy had seemed like a good idea when she’d first dreamed it up. But after so many months with Declan not applying she’d almost given up on the laundry day she envisioned. She shifted on the sofa wishing she’d put down a towel. While comfortable when fully clothed, the blue fabric irritated bare flesh, making her itch. If she stuck with the naked all day rule she needed more comfortable furniture.

She resisted the urge to cover herself. Being modest now would shatter the confident impression she’d given earlier. Finished loading the dryer, he began sorting through the clothes on the floor in front of the washing machine. He grabbed a pile of her delicates and a pile of his boxer briefs and threw them into the machine. The image in her head of their intimates rolling around together brought to mind them rolling around on her bed. The play of candlelight across his back emphasized corded muscles. She could stare at him all day but she wanted him inside her again.

If they were going to repeat their performance they needed food. Now that the next load was in she stood and marched into the kitchen. She eyed the stove, fleetingly rationalized wearing an apron to make a hot meal but tossed the idea aside. Start breaking the main rule and they’d start breaking other rules. There had to be something in the apartment they could eat that wouldn’t risk third degree burns.

Laundry Day is available on Amazon but you can get it and nine other stories for $0.99 in Bring On the Heat! Check it out an Amazon – https://amzn.com/B00HOHUUF2

About Keira

Keira is a former strip club bartender. Nights at the bar gave her lots of sexy ideas to work on. Working nights meant her days were free to dream up characters to put in sexy situations. Now, in the IT industry, her steamy stories are an escape from numbers and computer code. She writes thrillers, paranormals and contemporary stories, usually exploring an erotic twist. Her characters have never complained.

Her fiancé keeps her home life hot and romantic. She lives with him and their three cats.

Find Keira at: www.keirakohl.com
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/KeiraKohl
Like her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StoriesByKeira
Sign up for her newsletter: https://keirakohl.com/newsletter/

Gillian Archer: Researching Bondage (Contest)
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

Researching Bondage 

Some books are easy to write. The words just flow straight from my brain to my fingers and BAM! I have a story. While others are…less so. I should’ve known Sawyer would be a pain in my ass. Are things ever really that simple when a Dom is involved? And Sawyer is a rope top which made things especially tangled. (Sorry I couldn’t resist!)

Which is where research comes in. It took me a while but after a few books—both fiction and nonfiction—more videos than I want to admit, and a few lengths of my own rope, the ideas started flowing.

Here are a few nuggets of wisdom I picked up while researching bondage:

  • You cannot go wrong with an Eden Bradley BDSM story, but then I’m biased since she’s my mentor 😉
  • I found instructional videos easier to follow rather than nonfiction books. Some things you just gotta see to understand. I recommend Two Knotty Boys or Twisted Monk.
  • Always have a pair of safety scissors on hand when playing with rope. You don’t want to bother untying knots when things start to get tingly—and not in the fun way!
  • Be very careful which links you click on when hardcore BDSM videos are involved. One person’s kink is another’s squick factor.

I could keep going, but we’d be here all night! I have to be honest—research is one of my favorite parts of this job. It’s a hard life 😉

Have you ever gone outside of your comfort zone for your job? Hit me up in the comments and I’ll pick a couple of lucky winners to receive the first book in my Pleasure Code series, WICKED WEEKEND.

Book two of The Pleasure Code*

After the loss of her dom and first love two years ago, the time has come for Kyla to again allow herself the pleasure of giving up control. She isn’t looking for anything serious yet, just the comforting embrace of rope and a firm hand on her body for the night.

Rope-top Sawyer is extremely skilled and he doesn’t do relationships—but he’s fascinated by the gymnastics instructor who approaches him at a kink con. By the end of the day he’s vowed to help her feel submissive pleasure again, and to introduce her to a few doms she can choose from.

But as Sawyer breaks down Kyla’s emotional defenses, his barriers also come down. Soon he can’t imagine giving Kyla over to any other dom—and Kyla can’t imagine being with anyone else. When their feelings are put to the ultimate test, they’ll learn that while taking risks in the bedroom is easy, taking risks in love is terrifying.

*Up In Knots is part of a series but can be enjoyed all on its own 😉

Excerpt

Kyla’s heart raced at the predatory look Sawyer tossed her way. ZOMG! Had she bitten off more than she could chew here? She swallowed hard and smiled back at him.

“All right, everyone. Now if you’re a nice top, you can untie your submissive before we get to work on the next tie.” He paused as most of the couples struggled with their rope before finally untying their partners.

“But for those of you asshole rope tops who brought along extra rope, you can leave your partner’s legs tied for the next lesson. Everyone ready? Great. I’ll show ya’ll how to tie a rope shackle next.”

Kyla held her breath. She was disappointed he was going to take away the rope so soon. The abrasiveness of the rope against her bare ankles reminded her every second of its presence. That she was trapped. At his mercy.

She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to try to calm her racing heart. It didn’t work. She wanted more.

But instead of untying her legs, Sawyer reached into his bag and pulled out another length of rope. Her confusion must have broadcast over her face because instead of addressing the group, he turned toward her.

“What? You didn’t think I was a nice guy, did you?”

He barked a soft, cruel laugh. “Oh, honey. I think you might be in too deep here.”

He might as well have called her a sissy. Little did he know, she was used to proving herself. She had years of training and self-discipline under her belt. Plus the crap she went through the last two years would have crushed a lesser person. But she had nerves of steel and bigger cojones than half the men she knew. She could handle whatever Sawyer threw her way.

Sawyer stared down at her, assessing her. She knew if she didn’t say something soon, he would untie her and send her on her way. There were scads of eager, willing women to take her place. All he had to do was snap his fingers and the line would form to his left. A few titters from the group reminded her of their audience.

She could feel their stares, but it didn’t faze her. Heck, she had practically grown up in front of an audience.

This small group was nothing compared to the stress of a televised National gymnastic trial.

She could do this. To see that thrilling look in his eyes, feel his hands and his rope on her body again and what it did to her… Oh, yeah. She was beyond willing.

“Bring it.”

“Ooooh,” a few brave souls in the group chorused.

But Kyla didn’t turn in their direction. She couldn’t look away from his hypnotic stare.

“Okay. Have it your way,” he growled menacingly.

The implied threat in his voice had her sex swelling and pulsing in response. Cripes, this man was potent.

And yet her inner imp couldn’t help but mutter, “Don’t you mean your way?

Apparently not quietly enough.

His ominous expression told her he’d heard, and she’d be paying for it later when or if they were alone.

A shiver swept her body and her nipples hardened at the promise of dark, forbidden things in his eyes. She really, really hoped they would be alone later.

“I think after the rope shackle, I’ll show you all how to tie a gag for those bratty submissives.” He sent a significant glance her way, and the group chuckled.

Available now from Carina Press and all major etailers!

Carina Press  |  Amazon  |   B&N  |   All Romance ebooks

About Gillian

Gillian Archer lives in Northern Nevada with her amazing husband and two goofy dogs. When she’s not writing (but probably should be) Gillian is usually thinking about naughty things, doing naughty things, or watching reality tv (hey, don’t judge! LOL). You can find her at her website, on Facebook or Twitter.

COWBOY HEAT is here–don’t miss the party!
Tuesday, March 18th, 2014

I have a few announcements. Pay particular attention to the second one,
because that’s happenin’ today! ~DD

Cowboy Heat releases today!

Cowboy Heat

Here’s what the book’s all about…

Broad Shoulders, Well-Worn Jeans and a Lean-Hipped Swagger

He may ride off into the sunset, but the cowboy in our heart never goes out of style. Even when coated with dust from riding alongside a herd of cattle or up to his knees in mud taming a wild stallion, this stud still generates plenty of Cowboy Heat.

USA Today bestselling author Delilah Devlin takes you back to the ranch with stories of rugged romantics, rough riders, and rope wranglers sure to satisfy your desire for a real man. In “Shall We Dance?,” by Myla Jackson, a waltz teacher learns about rhythm from her rancher student at the Flying M. The rodeo champion in Megan Mitcham’s “Coming Home” discovers that true love might be waiting at the end of the trail. A high school reunion at the honky tonk finds a city girl back in the strong arms of her cowboy crush in Cat Johnson’s “Unfinished Business.” Saddle up!

“A wild ride!” —Beth Williamson, author of Hell for Leather

“Devlin Devlin is the go-to for cowboy romance that will make you hot under the collar.” —USA Today

Check out the roster of authors who contributed stories and find all the BUY LINKS to this collection at our website: Cowboy Heat Website. And if you do get your copy, please take the time to post a review to tell other readers about the book!

 

Cowboy Heat Release Party

Most of the authors who contributed stories to COWBOY HEAT will be online today, between 9:00 am – 10: pm Eastern Time, as part of our release day party! There will be prizes all day long and a chance to chat with some of your favorite authors! Click on the link to come join the fun! I’ll be there in the evening, but will make it a point to jump in as often as I have time to say hellow!  Cowboy Heat Release Party

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Poll Results

One last quick note…

If you recall, I ran a poll last week, asking you what “flavor” of short story collections you would want to see in the future. The results were very interesting. As popular as New Adult books seem to be, y’all weren’t all that keen on seeing a collection of short stories following that theme. I was also surprised with the 2d place tie between the Fast & Furious/Fast Car theme and the paranormal collection, because I thought paranormal themes were waning… You’ve definitely given me plenty to think about! And thanks to everyone for your suggestions for things you’d like to see that weren’t listed. I’ll be sharing the results with my publisher!

What themes would you like to see featured in future collections?

  • Bad Boys -- bikers, rockers, tattooed bad boys, etc. (33%, 27 Votes)
  • Red Hot Wheels -- think 007’s Astin Martin, Fast & Furious, NASCAR drivers, illegal drag racing (19%, 16 Votes)
  • Love Everlasting -- paranormal stories that are “fresh”—not all vampires! (19%, 16 Votes)
  • Sports Heroes -- the hockey player, football player, etc. (10%, 8 Votes)
  • Small Town Love (10%, 8 Votes)
  • Celebrity Crushes (6%, 5 Votes)
  • New Adult -- young women in college or in their first job, finding their first loves... (4%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 42

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Nikki Duncan: A TASTE ME DEADLY Interview (Contest)
Monday, March 17th, 2014

A TASTE ME DEADLY Interview

When we’re lucky, someone comes into our lives who holds the power to change how we view things, even ourselves. With that power comes the ability to twist us into knots of worry and frustration, and those knots can turn us into so many different directions that could lead to the greatest love.

TASTE ME DEADLY, the 5th story of the Sensory Ops series, explores that kind of relationship. Through the exploration, Liam Burgess’ biggest secrets are revealed. I thought it would be a little fun to interview Liam to see what it was like for him to meet his someone.
Let’s get started.

Nikki: Can you tell our readers today when you met Grey?
Liam: Two years ago. In Vegas.
Nikki: I already know you’re not a big talker, Liam. It’s part of what made your story so challenging. Can you try to come up with a little more, though?
Liam: Maybe.
Nikki: Okay, let’s try this question. Your friends have tried setting you up several times in the last few years, but they’ve mentioned you never gave in.
Liam: I did not.
Nikki: As if I’d give you another one word answer option. Tell us, because I’ve put the timing together, what it was about what happened in Vegas that you didn’t want to leave it in Vegas?
Liam: That’s a complicated question.
Nikki: (I greet him with a silence that would do him proud in an interrogation room.)
Liam: (He sighs heavily.) My mom always said I was a romantic at heart. There was something about Grey that called to me. When she disappeared the morning after, and I couldn’t find her, I guess I became obsessed.
Nikki: That sounds like an over simplification, Liam. Is there some secret you don’t want us to know?
Liam: You do realize I’m an FBI Agent, right? Secrets are my life.
Nikki: So that’s a yes. Can you give us a hint? Women aren’t normally the ones to do the sneaking out the next morning. And you’re a great guy. Seems to me, fear would be a great reason for a woman to leave a man she seems to like. Fear of what, though?
Liam: That’s a great question.
Nikki: Are you going to answer it?
Liam: It’s not my place.
Nikki: It’s Grey’s.

And that simply I knew I would have to wait for the answers, because Liam wasn’t going to be opening up. The good news is, the wait for answers is just about over, because TASTE ME DEADLY releases tomorrow.

Until it does, what do you think would motivate a woman to
walk out on a great guy like Liam?

Commenters will be entered into a drawing for a .pdf copy of the first two books in the Sensory Ops series – SOUNDS TO DIE BY and SCENT OF PERSUASION.

Be sure to sign up for Nikki’s newsletter and then go socialize with her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Pinterest.

Lynda Kaye Frazier: Venturing down a path I’ve never taken
Sunday, March 16th, 2014

Venturing down a path I’ve never taken…

lf6970596Thank you, Delilah, for letting me visit you today. I have been very busy since the last time I was here. I added another Granddaughter, and became the caretaker to my sister. Both are wins in my book. Another little girl to spoil, and I get to have one of my sisters with me all the time. Every writer knows that life can truly get in the way of our time to write, and mine truly did, but I decided to cut back on some things so I could get a few stories written, so I gave up a few hours of sleep each night and it paid off.  I published my first story, Saving Angel, in October 2012, then, Rescued From the Dark, February 2013 a short story, The Christmas Contract, in December 2013 and I just received a contract from Black Opal Books for my Young Adult, If I Knew Then. Now I’m sure your asking yourself, what does all this have to do with taking a new path.

As you can see by my book titles I’ve written different genres. My first story, Saving Angel, is an animal rescue, Mystery, Suspense. Rescued from the Dark is a Romantic Suspense. The Christmas Contract, is a contemporary and, If I Knew Then, is a Young Adult. My favorite genre to write is Romantic Suspense, but I love to try new things, some I’m good at, others not so good.

For example, I have a paranormal story, but my mind just can’t seem to wrap itself around the world of a shapeshifter. I also have a fantasy about a royal family battling the evils in different realms. That also has issues with believability. I suck at coming up with names for different worlds. But that’s not the road I was talking about.

I’ve always wanted to write an erotic story, but every time I tried my Catholic School days would come back to haunt me. I had little Nuns on my shoulder slapping the back of my head chanting, get those evil thoughts out of your mind. I know, sounds like I need a support group.

But I persevered and wrote a short erotic story filled with smoking hot cowboys. Now I still had the Nun issues, that’s why I wrote a short story, I only needed to have a few sex scenes. And It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. The story is called, Leather Chaps and Forgotten Promises.

Now for another virgin path I’m going to go down. This story will be my first self published book. I feel that if we want to succeed, we must not be afraid to try new things, even if we’re not that good at them.

So wish me luck as I try my hand at new things, and don’t be afraid to venture down those unchartered paths in your life. You just might find out what you use to fear, is your new love.

Leather Chaps and Forgotten Promises

Jack Logan grew up with Lace. She was his best friend and always there for him. The shoulder to lean on when he needed advice and the body he craved to heat up his nights. His life was perfect until Amy returned to town. The one girl who stole his heart, then walked away. When Amy makes her intentions clear to start back up where they left off does Jack go after the one love that got away, or lose the one true person in his life who has always  been there.

If I Knew Then, Young Adult

Angel fought to keep her family safe from the evil that threatened to destroy her. She made sure she was always the one in front of her sisters when her Mother yielded her wrath. Keeping the danger that surrounded them a secret, she lived a lie that everyone believed, except for one. He was her only source of happiness until one day he was gone. With nothing left, and no one to turn to, she must outrun her past, and overcome the secret that she fights to hide, before her Mother destroys everything she has left to hold on to.

Rescued From the Dark, Romantic Suspense

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She has no memory of their love…

Kidnapped by terrorists and sent into a drug-induced coma, FBI intern Mercedes Kingsley awakes with no memory of her ordeal—or the intimate interlude that left her pregnant. Convinced her child was fathered by her ex-fiancé, she walks away from the only man she has ever loved, determined to make things work with her ex, a man the FBI suspects is implicated in her abduction.

He knows the truth, but no one will listen…

FBI undercover agent Jason Michaels remembers what Mercy can’t, and those memories are breaking his heart. Forced to keep his distance from his lover and their unborn child, Jason risks his life to protect Mercy from a cell of international terrorists who have vowed to get the secrets locked in her memory, no matter the cost. Can Jason convince Mercy to trust him until she remembers their past, or will he lose her to a man who will trap her in a nightmare world of darkness from which there is no escape?

I’m an avid reader of romantic suspense and started writing after a vivid dream. I know, sounds cliché, but that’s how it started.  I work full time at a Cardiology clinic, then at night you will find me in front of my computer. I grew up in Pennsylvania, but now live in Arkansas, surrounded by the Ozark mountains where I get to enjoy the four seasons without a long, cold winter. Other than spending time with my wonderful family, my favorite things to do are writing, reading and listening to music, but my most favorite is going to the beach. Surf, sand and a good book, my stress relief.

Thank you for stopping by. For purchase information on my books visit my blog, or website below.

Lynda Kaye Frazier
https://lyndafrazier.blogspot.com
www.lyndakayefrazier.com
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynda-Kaye-Frazier/189048967838229
Twitter- lynda_kaye 
Amazon Author page:https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009L7TK04
Writing is my passion, Reading is my Love.

Flashback: Two Wild for Teacher (Contest)
Saturday, March 15th, 2014

UPDATE: The winner of the free download is…Mandy!

* * * * *

A couple of reminders, first.

1) Don’t forget to vote for your choice of theme for upcoming collections. I’m playing with the ideas I posted and trying to come up with proposals that will appeal as much as Cowboy Heat! All you have to do is show up and vote! Take the Poll!

2) Also, remember that I am running a contest all month on my blog. I’ll choose a commenter at random to receive an Amazon gift card, so don’t be shy about leaving little love notes for the authors you see here! 🙂

Thanks so much for everyone who supported me by buying Reined In! I love my Lone Star Lovers series! Here’s a nibble from one of those stories…

If you post a comment today, you’ll be entered to win a free copy of this story!

Two Wild For Teacher

“Ms. Devlin’s writing is so well done that the experience was seamless. I will definitely be looking for more of Ms. Devlin’s books for my ‘keeper shelf’…  TWO WILD FOR TEACHER is highly recommended reading for a quick escape.”
5 Stars and Book of the Month, Long and Short Reviews

It’s double the trouble when two ornery cowboys come courtin’, Texas-style…

Sam Logan’s hell-raising twin sons have a bad rep in Two Mule, Texas. All of it earned. When it becomes clear those two troublemakers won’t settle down without another nudge—make that a boot to their butts—Sam reissues his challenge. Find a wife.

There’s only one woman who’s ever held Mace and Jason Logan’s attention for more than one night. Molly Pritchet, their former teacher. She’s been too worried about a pesky morals clause to let them close, but they’re older now and ready to prove to her that some rules are meant to be broken.

Molly thought her path was clear: always a teacher, never a mother or a wife. Until she finds those two Logan “boys” in her backyard, all grown up and digging around in her business. More accurately, starting her koi pond for her without asking. Well, it’s about time someone taught the Logan twins some manners.

A little mud, a lot of yearnings she thought she’d suppressed, and Molly realizes she’s the one being schooled in the art of indulging in forbidden desires.

Warnings: Two hot-as-sin twins romance their former high school teacher. Things are bound to get down and dirty quick as two bad boys tag team to sweep one curvy, sexy woman off her feet.

Molly felt more herself as she took a long, cool shower. She stood under the showerhead and let the water beat her head, long enough her toes were wrinkled and her mind was blank.

However, her traitorous body was slow to let go of the arousal both men had stoked. As she slicked rose-scented soap over her skin, she massaged her heavy breasts, pinching the tips now and then to keep them throbbing. She slid a hand between her parted legs and glided fingers between her folds, felt the ripened nub at the top and swirled around and around it until her breath caught and held.

She rubbed a moment longer, but fingers weren’t enough. Hers were too soft, too slender. She craved something substantial pushing up inside her. Damn them.

Breathing hard, she turned the tap to add a distinct chill to the water, then pressed both hands against the tiled wall. At last her heart slowed to its usual, unnoticeably steady beat. She switched off the cool water and reached for the fluffy towel hanging from a peg beside the door. She held it to her face, drying her eyes and cheeks, and inhaling the reassuring fragrance of the springlike conditioner she used in her wash.

Nothing teased her senses. Not a whiff of male cologne or musk.

Now, she was ready to start her summer. And she had plans. This year, she’d put in more flowers, maybe dig a bit in the backyard and put in the koi pond, something she’d dreamed about doing and had already begun to assemble the things she’d need to complete the project. On her salary, it was a splurge, but it wasn’t like she didn’t have the money in the bank to handle it.

Fact was, she was a frugal woman with modest needs. She didn’t spend a lot on clothes, did her own nails, and other than a trim a couple of times a year, didn’t spend it at the beauty shop. Her house was finished to her liking. However, her yard, especially the backyard, was in need of a little TLC to make it a perfect haven from the world.

She opened the towel and swung it behind her, rubbing her back and bottom then brought it forward to dry her breasts. The terrycloth abraded her nipples, just enough she was aware but not enough to excite. She’d had enough excitement for one day.

The twins had had their fun. Her mind almost got away from her when she thought about how they’d looked, standing in her bedroom doorway to peek inside.

Something no man had ever done. Not since she’d had her satellite dish and receivers installed had a man even traipsed up her stairs, and that had been shortly after she’d bought the house her second year in Two Mule. Not that she was a prude, but, at first, she’d been busy trying to be the best teacher she could, spending evenings over lesson plans, tutoring after school, lending her supervision to several school-related clubs.

When she’d finally grown comfortable in her job and her role, she’d felt awkward stepping outside it. Sure, she attended functions at church, but there again, parents sought her out to talk about their children. She’d begun to feel as though her life was predetermined, that maybe, this was all she was supposed to be. A child’s teacher. Never his or her mother. And the thought of the actual baby-making… She no longer felt comfortable in her own skin. When she looked into a mirror, she saw a pale moon of a face, a figure more suited to plain shirts and dowdy skirts than one that might entice a healthy, horny male.

The sexual side of her was dormant, unawakened, except for brief moments like today, whenever she spied the twins in town or at the diner. Always, the two of them reminded her of her first days here, about her unexpected and unwanted attraction to them both.

Molly rubbed the soft terry over her nipples again. The tips were fully engorged, so sensitive each back and forth pass shot darts of hunger straight toward her womb.

Not that she was ashamed about how easily they affected her. Intellectually, she understood her reactions were natural. They were beautiful specimens of manhood who exuded sexual confidence. Something she, as a relative novice, responded to on a very primal level…

Primal. A word she loved. One that made her think of sweaty, naked bodies. A word she could roll around her tongue…

And good Lord, she was thinking about them again! Her skin felt warmer, her breasts heavier, her nipples tingly and tight.

In the moment she stood inventorying her physical reactions, she was right back at square one—intensely aroused and overheated. Her brain short-circuiting, letting her hunger grow.

She wondered where she’d stashed the vibrator she’d bought the last time she’d visited her family in Houston. She’d been shopping with her sister Sarah who had nagged her about all the elusive details regarding her private life until she’d discovered Molly didn’t have a sex life to gossip about. Sarah had made it her mission to find her a vibrator sure to awaken her dormant hormones.

The unopened box was probably somewhere deep in her closet. Top shelf, behind her Snuggie. And if that wasn’t the definition of a spinster, she didn’t know what was. Short of the prerequisite dozen cats, she was well on her way.

She finished with the towel, hung it over the rail to dry, slipped her glasses on and reached for her robe for the walk to her bedroom, but then decided she could walk naked through her own damn house. Feeling daring, and knowing it was daylight so her silhouette passing any windows wouldn’t be seen from the road, she strode into her bedroom, picked up the stool in front of her vanity and carried it to the closet.

When she was on her tiptoes atop the cushioned seat, reaching to the farthest corner, she heard a sound coming from her backyard. A metallic chink, then a soft masculine curse.

Curious, she leaned back and tugged her lace curtains to open them just a couple inches and peered down through the branches of the mimosa tree, into her yard. The sight that greeted her caused her breath to hitch.

The twins stood in her backyard, in the center of the area she’d neatly staked and tied with twine to define the place she intended to put her koi pond. And they’d made a mess. Clumps of turf lay beside the big hole they’d dug. Water ran freely from a hose into the middle of a muddy pit. The black pool liner she’d bought and left leaning against the garage had been dragged beside the hole.

Anger flushed another kind of heat through her veins, and she climbed off the stool, hurried to the bathroom for her robe, and then she was stomping down her stairs to the sliding glass door, which she slammed open with all her righteous anger.

Two begrimed faces turned her way. Before she let herself think better of her plan, she was standing in front of them with her sheer bathrobe flapping in a breeze and staring at two broad, naked muddy chests. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she asked, trying to temper her voice, because she didn’t want neighbors hearing her screeching like a banshee.

Mace’s gaze raked over her body. “Wishin’ I had x-ray vision,” he drawled.

Molly scowled and clutched the lapels of her robe in one hand. “I’m talking about this!” she said, waving her other hand at the rapidly filling hole.

Mace shrugged. “Dirt was too hard. And since we couldn’t find a pick or a backhoe in your garage—”

“You think I’d have a backhoe?”

“Or a pick…”

“You were rummaging through my garage?” she said, her voice raising.

“It wasn’t locked.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why are you digging up my yard?”

“We saw the stakes, found the pool that fits the space you marked off…” He shrugged again, a little smile tilting up the corners of his mouth as he gave her body another sly once-over.

She hoped like hell the bright sunshine wasn’t giving him that x-ray vision. “I don’t need your help. And now I have a huge mess—”

Jason cleared his throat, pulling her attention to a sharp, crystal gaze alight with amusement. “It only looks like a mess ’cause of the mud. But actually, we have more dug here than you can see.”

Molly gaped at both men, covered in sweat and dirt, but somehow still looking more attractive than she could stand. She felt moisture pool beneath her feet and glanced down at the hose still gurgling water into the pit they’d dug. Before she could suppress the urge, she bent and picked it up, pressed her thumb over the end to increase the pressure and aimed it at Jason, spraying him with water.

His eyes closed and he stood in the stream, water running off his face to his chest and soaking his jeans.

Mace erupted in laughter, but quickly shut up the moment she turned the hose on him. When he lifted a foot to climb out of the hole, he slipped and landed on his butt in the middle of the muddy pool.

Elation filled her and she laughed, still spraying. But Jason climbed on his hands and knees, over the edge, toward her. She dropped the hose and turned to make a run for it, but he caught the hem of her bathrobe, and jerked it toward him.

Her feet slipped beneath her and she began to fall backward…into a pair of strong arms which wrapped around her and carried her down to one side of the muddy pit, to soft, gooey ground—with those same arms buffeting the fall.

When she caught her breath, she was covered head to toe by one very wet, very amused man. Mud oozed between her toes and beneath the back of her robe, and both lapels had pulled apart. Although his body shielded her from view, nothing stood between their naked chests.

Jason leaned to one side and lifted one finger.

Her eyes nearly crossed watching it descend toward her face.

He pushed up her glasses. “Seems we got ourselves a situation here,” he drawled, settling on his elbows to take a little of his weight off her.

She opened her mouth to demand he move, but then Mace sauntered into view to take up a position leaning against her back porch to watch the couple in the muddy hole. If Jason did move, both men would have an unencumbered view of her torso.

Molly became aware of every sensation: the heavy chest pressing against her stiff nipples, the jut of his jeans-enclosed sex against her mound. She swallowed hard. “Seems we do. I…apologize for acting like a crazy woman.”

Jason grunted and his chest jerked against hers. “You’re not sorry.”

Knowing she was at a distinct disadvantage, she nevertheless lifted her chin. “It’s just plain rude to disagree with me. I’m trying to handle this delicately.”

“Only handlin’ to be done will be done by me—and Mace here, if you ask real pretty.”