Book Tour + #Giveaway - The Ruined Series - by Nichole Rose @AuthNicholeRose #curvygirl #mafiaromance

Series Blurb

The Valentino brothers rule the city of Chicago with closed fists and iron wills. But even kings fall. And the curvy women meant for them are about to drop these crime bosses to their knees. All three books in The Ruined Trilogy can be read as standalones. And don't forget to grab Nico's story to meet the brother they risked everything to save from a life shackled to a criminal empire he didn't want.

Physical Science

The Ruined Trilogy: The Beginning

by

Nichole Rose

Genre: Curvy Girl Mafia Romance

Love is the final test for this professor and his star student.

Nico Valentino
My brothers are mobsters. Criminals.
They rule their kingdoms with iron fists.
I'm nothing like them.
I'm an astrophysicist. A professor.
My lecture hall is full of laughter.
Until I set eyes on Norah Bishop.
She needs my help, but I need her.
And I'll do whatever it takes to keep her.
Even if it means returning to the family I left.

Norah Bishop
All I've ever wanted was to be a scientist like my dad.
But I stumbled into something I shouldn't have.
Now, the biggest criminal in Chicago is coming for me.
And the only person who can help me is his brother...my new professor.
I don't want to drag Nico into this.
But when he touches me, I lose all control.
He's my professor. I think I want him to be my forever instead.
Loving him comes with a price.
But losing him will break me.

If you enjoy over-the-top nerdy men, curvy heroines willing to risk it all, and forbidden student-teacher romance, you'll love Nico and Norah's sugary-sweet and extra steamy story! As always, Nichole Rose books come complete with a guaranteed HEA. Physical Science is the steamy beginning to the Ruined Trilogy. It can be read as a standalone story.

**On Sale for Only .99cents 5/23 – 5/25!!**

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Wrecked

The Ruined Trilogy Book 1

One look at his curvy captive and this Mafia boss will risk it all. Even if it means toppling his own kingdom to the ground...

Rafe Valentino

A life in chains was the deal I made with my father to win my twin's freedom.

My soul is black with the things I've done to keep my promise.

I never regretted any of it until now. Until her.

Amalia Santiago's bravado and fierce defiance make me feel alive in a way I never expected.

I was never meant to fall for her.

I don't deserve to put my filthy hands all over her pristine body.

She's supposed to be my prisoner.

But now, she'll become my world instead.

Amalia Santiago

When the devil came for my foster brother, I let him take me in his place.

I swore I'd find a way out of this mess for both of us.

Except Rafe Valentino wasn't supposed to have a heart...

And I wasn't supposed to fall for the ruthless crime boss.

So why do I come alive when he touches me?

Now, I'm one wrong move from destroying everything.

And nothing is what it seems.

How do I sacrifice the man I love to save my brother?

If you enjoy OTT possessive older men with a little bit of darkness in them and sassy, curvy heroines with heart, get ready to fall for Rafe and Amalia in this sweet and extra steamy romance. As always, Nichole Rose books come complete with a guaranteed HEA. Safe read. No cliffhanger. Each book in the Ruined Trilogy features a different Valentino brother and can be read as a standalone story.

**On Sale for Only .99cents 5/23 only!!**

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Wanton

The Ruined Trilogy Book 2

Falling for the enemy wasn't part of Luca Valentino's plan. But one taste of his curvy captive will change everything for this mafia boss.

Luca

A life in hell was the sacrifice I made to keep my brothers alive.

There's nothing I won't do to see that job through.

Even if it means seducing the enemy.

But I never intended to fall for Callandria Genovese.

She was supposed to be a means to an end, nothing more.

Now, I've got more to lose than ever.

And the woman who holds the key to my future is in chains in my bedroom.

I need her trust. I want her heart.

One way or another, I will have both.

Callandria

I've been taught to hate the Valentino family since I could walk.

I know they killed my grandfather.

But no one warned me that the real monster of the bunch was Luca Valentino.

They didn't tell me I'd find myself imprisoned in his bed, either.

Or that I'd be so reluctant to leave it.

But that's precisely what happened.

Little by little, he's slipping beneath my defenses and making me feel things I shouldn't.

But which side of him is real?

The wanton man who sets me ablaze...or the ruthless mobster who refuses to let me go?

If you like your OTT possessive older men morally gray and your curvy heroines strong, prepare to fall for Luca and Callandria in this steamy mafia romance. As always, Nichole Rose books come complete with a guaranteed HEA. Safe read. No cliffhanger. Each book in the Ruined Trilogy features a different Valentino brother and can be read as a standalone story.

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Wicked

The Ruined Trilogy Book 3

To win her love, this crime boss will need more than money and power.

Gabriel

They say those with the power make the rules.

They lied.

Genesis Santiago refuses to bend to my will.

I know because I've tried.

She wants nothing to do with me.

That isn't going to work for me.

She's the only thing in this world I need.

One way or another, I'll make her mine.

Even if I have to break her to claim her.

Genesis

I know what people say about Gabriel Valentino.

He's not just a billionaire. He's a criminal.

When he catches me trying to steal from him, I expect a quick death.

Instead, the bossy, arrogant man hires me.

But I won't bow to any man…

Not even the one who owns my soul.

Not even to save my own life.

Warning

When this wicked mob boss finds his curvy girl, he'll do whatever it takes to make her his. If you enjoy over-the-top billionaires, willful heroines, and steamy romance with a touch of darkness, you'll love Gabriel and Genesis. As always, Nichole Rose books come complete with a guaranteed HEA. No cheating. Each book in the Ruined Trilogy features a different Valentino brother and can be read as a standalone novel.

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Physical Science Excerpt

"What happened, angel?" I ask, twisting to set the cup on the dresser.

"I shouldn't involve you in this," she mumbles, breaking my gaze to stare at the floor. "He's your brother."

"And you're my…" I almost say future but manage to stop myself. "Student. Let me help you."

She hesitates for so long I think she's going to refuse.

"Please, beautiful girl. Talk to me."

"I saw him kill someone," she blurts out, wringing her hands together.

"What the fuck?"

She grimaces, her face falling again. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that."

"You saw him kill someone?" I say, just to make sure I heard her correctly. Don't get me wrong, I'm not surprised he killed someone. It wouldn't be the first time and I doubt it'll be the last time he drops a body. But the fact that she saw it…that's what's fucking me up. She's too innocent to live with something like that!

She nods miserably. "I was at the harbor, doing some things."

"What things?"

"Just things."

"Norah."

"I was snooping, okay?" she huffs, throwing her hands up. Irritation flashes in her eyes. "I'm nosy and impulsive and I wanted to see what was in all the barrels they keep stored there, so I snuck in to have a look around."

"You're fucking kidding me." She's not kidding me. I can tell by the guilty look on her face that she's being completely serious right now. She broke into the harbor's storage facility to snoop.

"Do you do things like this often?"

"No." She bites her lip, her eyes flitting across my face. "Define often."

"Jesus Christ," I groan, tipping my head back to look up at the ceiling.

"In my defense, I was unsupervised. And bored. And I really, really regret doing it."

I tip my head down to glare at her. "A jury won't care if you're sorry or not, Norah. You committed a felony."

"I know," she admits, her voice small. "But my felony is small fries compared to the other felony that happened while I was there, don't you think?"

Well, she's got me there.

"Tell me what you saw."

"I heard two men arguing by the docks, so I snuck closer to see what was going on. It was your brother and another guy, someone who works for him. He did something that upset your brother. He told the guy that he never should have put his hands on what didn't belong to him, and then he pulled out a gun and s-shot him." She sucks in a deep, shuddering breath. "The man fell into the river."

"Jesus fucking Christ."

"It gets worse," she warns me.

How could it possibly get any worse? She's already admitted to a felony and implicated my brother in a murder. It can't get much worse than that.

"I screamed when the gun went off."

"He saw you?"

She nods again.

Fuck Murphy and her law. Of course it gets worse. Of course it does.

"And I lost my phone when I was running."

"Fucking hell," I swear.

"I didn't mean to!" she cries, tears welling in her eyes.

Poor angel. She's been through hell and back. She doesn't need me cursing at her and making her feel worse. None of this is her fault. It's Rafe's fault. It's my father's fault. It's my fault for not recognizing that her rampant curiosity was bound to lead her into trouble. I should have seen that and done something to protect her.

What am I saying? She isn't mine to protect. She isn't mine, period.

Except…that's not true, is it? Not now. Not anymore. It stopped being true the second she showed up on my doorstep and I carried her inside. She became mine in that moment. If I lose my job for claiming her, so be it. I already decided this semester would be my last because of her. So nothing stood in the way of me claiming her. If I have to fight my brother to keep her safe, so be it. No one is going to harm her. No one.

"I don't know what to do, Nico," she whispers, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I know I shouldn't be here telling you any of this, but you were the first person I thought of. I didn't know where else to go. I can't go to the police."

No, she definitely can't go to them. They'll lock her up for commercial burglary, sealing her fate. If my brother's reach extends anywhere, it's into the heart of every jail and prison cell in this state.

"Hey," I murmur, reaching out for her. This time, she doesn't flinch. I pull her into my arms, holding her. My heart aches as she snuggles into my embrace with a whimper, letting me comfort her as she cries. Part of me, a big part, wants me to be the first person she thought of because she feels the same way I do. The other, more logical part realizes she probably only came here because Rafe is my brother.

I don't suppose her motivation matters either way. She still came here. She still trusted me to keep her safe. She's still mine…and I still have to deal with my brother.

Fuck my life.

Nichole Rose writes filthy, feel-good romance for curvy readers. Her books feature headstrong, sassy women and the alpha males who consume them. From grumpy detectives to country boys with attitude to instalove and over-the-top declarations, nothing is off-limits.

She is sure to have a steamy, sweet story just right for everyone. She fully believes the world is ugly enough without trying to fit falling in love into a one-size-fits-all box.

When not writing, Nichole enjoys fine wine, cute shoes, and everything supernatural. She is happily married to the love of her life and is a proud mama to the world’s most ridiculous fur-babies. She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest.

You can learn more about Nichole and her books at her website or by liking her on Facebook or following her on Instagram.

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Happy Thanksgiving, Canada. Enjoy this #Holiday-ish excerpt from #ParanormalRomance Autumn's Healing

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope you are enjoying the day with family, friends, food and fun! 

In honour of the day, here's a snip from Autumn's Healing. 

Former serviceman, wounded in the line of duty, Salem Aames, and his all-veteran construction crew take on a renovation job for a single-mom. 

Kaylah MacDonough is not only dealing with an empty nest for the first time, she has also purchased a creepy old house that needs some serious TLC... and maybe an exorcism!

A single mom... 

A haunted house... 

A wounded vet starting over... 

A secret...

 

Rarely do we get to pick our battles… Often, they choose us...

Single mom Mikaylah MacDonough and her only daughter Autumn have been on their own a long time. So, when Autumn goes off to school, it seems only natural for Kaylah to pull up stakes and follow, though with some clear-cut boundaries, of course. She’s determined to give Autumn space to enjoy the whole college experience but remain close enough for emergencies, meals and laundry. But when the closing date of the current house overlaps with taking possession of the ‘new’ house, along with orientation week, Autumn has to go it alone. From that moment on, Kaylah’s dreams of a new beginning turn into a complete and total nightmare.

When former serviceman Jerusalem Aames drives up to the century-old Cleary house, he sees dollar signs for himself and his all-veteran crew. The rundown, old place would finally put his fledgling construction-renovation firm in the black. But the moment he meets the gorgeous homeowner who had been duped into buying the money-pit, his attraction is swift and instantaneous.

However, there’s something very strange going on in the dilapidated, old house that has nothing to do with rotting timbers or shoddy wiring. Whatever it is, it’s affecting Kaylah’s state of mind, and Salem soon finds himself in a battle he’s not sure he can win.

Excerpt: 

As expected, once the crew began to renovate and upgrade the house, more problems came to light besides the wiring, foundation and plumbing, but, weeks into the project, slowly but surely they were beginning to make some headway. Though everything that could possibly go wrong seemed to. 

Today, the team was replacing windows. The one in Autumn’s room needed extra work. As they’d done in all the upstairs bedrooms, Salem had torn out the old plaster and replaced it with the more modern drywall sheeting. Though they were going to try their best to keep the plaster walls intact on the main level, if possible, it wasn’t really an option on the second floor. 

After replacing some wood support, Salem and Fray hefted the new window into the freshly framed-in rectangle. 

“Careful. We don’t want to eff this one up, too,” Fray cautioned. 

“Fourth time’s a charm, Fray,” Salem replied, shoving a shim between the vinyl and the wood. 

“This is the third freakin' pane, not to mention the week we spent fixing the rot and replacing the strapping and drywall. Don’t ya think it’s weird, Salem? We put windows in all over this house but never had the problems we’ve had with this one.” 

“Well, the first one was obviously my fault. I must have measured wrong.” Though he was certain he hadn’t. Or perhaps the measurements had been recorded wrong on the order with the glass manufacturer. “The second one, though the right size, arrived broken, and we had to send it back. The third one, Thompson and Kraft broke putting in,” Salem recapped. 

“But, seriously, boss, it’s not just this room. Almost every part of this reno has been a nightmare. Everything that possibly could go wrong, has. We’ve never had problems with the distributors like we’ve run into on this job. From late supplies or discontinued product to backorders and material arriving either warped or completely wrong… I just don’t get it,” Fray ranted. 

“I know. It’s like we’re never supposed to finish this house or something.”  

“I think we’ll be done remodeling the rest of the entire place before you get this one room completed. Everything you’ve done in here has gone to sh*t. What else could possibly go wrong?” 

“Shhh. Don’t say that out loud,” Salem cautioned, while eyeing the window. Though every time they hit a snag with the refurb—whether it be structural or a delay in getting materials—Salem was secretly pleased. Anything that would keep Kaylah near him longer was a welcome setback. He was in love with her. There was no getting around it. She’d wound her way into his heart 

“Ya got this?” Fray asked. 

“Yeah, thanks, I’ll finish shimming it up, spray in some foam to seal it, then it’s trim time.” 

“You gonna get Kaylah to paint all the trim in here, too?” 

“Probably.” 

“She’s really gotten into the swing of it, eh? Painting and peeling off all that gaudy wallpaper. I swear every room on this second level had it. I never thought she’d get it all off. She doesn’t mind gettin’ her hands dirty.” 

“Yeah, she seems to be getting into the process. She learns quick, too. Did you check out that powder room downstairs? Kaylah did all the tile work and the grout.” 

“I did. You’d better watch it, boss. I think Thompson had a bit too much fun teaching her that stuff.” 

“I know it. But I think half of you guys would push me off the roof if ya thought you had a chance with her.” 

“And I think you’re underestimating,” he said, as he disappeared down the hallway, his evil laugh fading as he went. 

“Loyalty’s a lost quality,” he mumbled to himself. “Now what did I do with that level?” He’d thought Fray had leaned it against the wall. “And where’s my f*ckin’ tape measure?” Reaching into the leather pouch slung about his hips, he also came up empty. Salem looked around the room then started bellowing, but as usual, no one heard him. 

After carefully navigating the stairs, he made his way to the living area where the majority of the work was centered for the moment, but the room was empty. “Does no one work around here, anymore?”  

He snagged the first tape measure he saw then followed all the noise and commotion to the kitchen where he found Piquet and Thompson carrying groceries in the back door. The counter was littered with fresh vegetables, fruit and a massive turkey. 

Soon the other guys followed with more. 

Salem set the tape measure on the sideboard and grabbed an apple from the big bowl in the middle of the table. 

“What’s all this?” Salem asked, as Kaylah entered with several bags in her arms. 

“Fixin’s for Thanksgiving dinner,” Piquet crowed. “And this is just the first wave.”

 

“The first wave?” 

Kay set the bags down then picked up a pencil. “I still have to go out and get baking supplies for the pies—coconut cream for you.” She eyed him as he devoured the seasonal Empire. He was about to make a totally inappropriate comment about Kaylah-cream. As if she knew exactly what he was about to say, she talked over him. “Pumpkin for Piq. Blueberry for Thoms.” Salem tried not to roll his eyes, as she’d affectionately begun to call Thompson ‘Thoms,’ for f*ck’s sake. 

“Cherry for Kraft and Fray.” 

Fray flexed his muscles when she said his name, though Kay didn’t even notice. Instead, she jotted another list on a notepad by the phone as she spoke. “And butterscotch for Tagg.” She gnawed her lip for a second. “Though he said he’d get me his gran’s recipe, he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. I’ve never made one of those before.” Kaylah bounced the eraser end of the pencil on her lip, distracting him. 

“Tagg?” Salem questioned. 

Kay’s lovely baby blues lit as she focused on him. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. The other day when Tagg called to speak to you, I invited him, and he agreed to come have supper with us.” 

“Huh?” Salem choked in surprise. “He swore not to set foot in this house.” 

“Well, there’s the catch. We’re going to eat outside.” 

“Like the pilgrims,” Piquet chimed in. Salem had never seen Piq so excited about anything. He was a big kid. 

“The guys and I are going to set up tables in the front yard,” Kaylah explained. 

The guys and I? 

“Weather permitting?” Salem asked. 

“Weather won’t matter, bossman,” Thompson added. “You know first-hand we can set up a ten by sixteen tent in two minutes-forty seconds flat.” 

“You’ve got this all planned out, huh.” He was impressed. “You know you don’t have to do all this, Kay.” 

“I know, but I want to. I want everyone to have that little taste of home, and I want us all to be together.” 

Salem poked the turkey. “That baby has to be a twenty pounder, at least.” 

“You’re close. Twenty-five,” Kaylah replied. 

“Holy crap, woman. Are you planning on feeding the entire neighborhood, too?” 

“Nope.” She looked around at the men. She softened her gaze and grinned. “Just my own little army.” 

If possible, at that moment, Salem fell a little bit more in love with her. 

Perhaps she didn’t have Autumn to mother on a day-to-day basis for the time being, but she certainly made up for it by taking care of his motley crew. And they lapped it up. But the caring was mutual. 

“I can’t wait.” Kraft rubbed his hands together. “Kaylah makes the best roast chicken I’ve ever had. Makes my mouth water to think what she’ll do with that ginormous bird.” 

“Well, I for one can’t wait to meet Autumn,” Salem said. “When do you expect her in?” 

Kaylah’s expression drooped and she looked down at the floor. “She’s not coming home,” Kaylah murmured in a whisper. 

“What do you mean, she’s not coming?” He frowned. “This is the first big holiday since you two have been separated—the perfect opportunity for her to visit. The pair of you need to see each other.” 

“She’d have to spend the entire holiday traveling. She has class until Wednesday at four. It’s a ten-hour drive. She’ll sleep, eat, then be back on the road for the trek back. It’s just not practical, Salem.” 

“Is it money? I’ll buy her a plane ticket myself.” Though, he was more than confident it wasn’t a financial issue. Every time he needed more supplies, the money was there and every installment they’d agreed upon had been paid on time and in full, which was more than he could say for any other job he’d ever taken. 

“We’ll chip in, Kay,” Piquet piped up. “The guys and I can’t afford much right about now, but we’ll take up a collection, see what we can scrounge up.” A tear ran down her cheek as she slowly reached out and squeezed Piq’s wrist. If he wasn’t mistaken, Piq’s eyes glazed as he watched her. 

“That’s lovely of you to offer—all of you—but it’s not the money. That’s not a problem. It was her decision not to come. Besides, she’s already made other plans with her friends, even if she could secure a ticket at the last minute.” 

“Well, we know what to save up for Christmas, fellas, ’cause this ain’t happenin’ again,” Thompson ranted. “I don’t care what her excuse is, that girl is coming home for December twenty-fifth, come hell or high water, even if we have to go up there and get her ourselves.”

All the guys nodded. 

“I love you guys,” Kaylah murmured, her lips trembling. 

Well, it wasn’t quite what Salem had imagined the first time she said the words, including his whole company and all, but he’d take it. And, by the gentle looks on all their goddamn ugly mugs, they would, too. 

“Get back to work,” Salem said, in no uncertain terms. 

After a round of ‘yes sirs,’ they did as commanded. 

“They are an amazing group of men, Salem,” Kaylah said, hugging him. 

“I know it. But did you say annoying? ’Cause I heard ‘annoying,’” he tried to joke and lighten her mood. 

Even through lessening tears, she giggled. The sound reverberated in his chest. 

“Ya need any help putting all this stuff away?” 

“No, thank you. I’ve got it.” 

“Then I’ll get back at it, too.” 

Salem went to retrieve his tape measure. 

“Piq, did you steal my f*ckin’ tape measure again?” With the noise, no one heard him. “I was sure I left it on the sideboard,” he grumbled. 

As he limped back up the stairs, he wondered about Kay and Autumn’s relationship. The more he hung around, the more he wondered if things were not as rosy between the two of them as Kaylah wished him to believe. So, Autumn had plans with friends for Thanksgiving. He could accept that, he supposed. But, he’d also suggested Kay take a week and go up and visit her, if she missed her daughter so much. There had always seemed to be an excuse. Next time he had that girl on the phone, he was determined to get to the bottom of it. Yet even her phone calls were becoming fewer and farther between. 

As soon as he entered Autumn’s room, he spied his measuring tape on the new window sill. 

He sighed and picked it up. Most of the other paranormal activity had calmed, as Tagg had advised. No more banging doors at six a.m. or popping bulbs or disembodied footfalls. The lost or moving objects were another matter altogether. The men were forever misplacing tools and, as Kaylah had mentioned, finding them in the most confounding places. 

“It’s gettin’ old,” he mumbled to no one in particular. 

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Happy Thanksgiving

Teaser Tuesday - 18+ Snippet from SWAP #ForbiddenLove #eroticromance

Hailey Hollinger has it all—a great husband, a fantastic career, good friends… and one hot brother-in-law who won’t stay out of her fantasies

When Hailey was sixteen she thought her boyfriend, Brent, was the best-looking guy around. That was until he introduced her to his older brother, Mike. From that moment on she had the biggest crush on him and he became the star of all her teenage fantasies.

Hailey’s all grown up now and has been married to Brent for three years. They have great careers, a nice house—they enjoy life and each other. Everything is supposed to be perfect. Except that pesky little infatuation with her husband’s brother has never completely gone away. A crush, by nature and definition, is supposed to be short-lived and should diminish over time. But, unfortunately for Hailey, it hasn’t, and it’s beginning to fuck with what she thinks should be perfection. And, if her life is so great, why does she then find herself groping her brother-in-law in the cab of his truck like some sex-starved teenager? Or the more pressing question yet—why is he groping her right back?

Author Note: This erotic romance story is written in first person, and contains cheating/adulterous themes. 

HK Carlton did a fantastic job of showing the angst Michael and Hailey faced as they deal with their growing attraction to each other. You fall in love with them as their love grows, and you wonder if they will choose to betray their spouses an act on their love for each other.
HK Carlton did a fantastic job of showing the angst Michael and Hailey faced as they deal with their growing attraction to each other. You fall in love with them as their love grows, and you wonder if they will choose to betray their spouses an act on their love for each other.

The Prologue  

When I was sixteen I thought my boyfriend, Brent, was the best-looking guy around. That was until he introduced me to his older brother Mike. From that moment on I had the biggest crush on him, and he was the star of most of my teenage fantasies.

At the time Mike was twenty-five and newly married, but that didn’t stop my overactive imagination. I was so shy back then, every conversation I had with the man left me a red-faced, tongue-tied mess.

To this day, Mike can still make me blush, even though I’m now twenty-six and have been married to Brent for three years. I have a great career in journalism and I’m sketching outlines for my first romance novel.

Brent and I both have great jobs, although he travels a lot for work as a territory auto parts sales rep. We own a nice house. We enjoy our life and each other. Everything is supposed to be perfect—except that my infatuation with my brother-in-law has never completely gone away.

A crush, by nature and definition, is something that’s supposed to be short-lived and should diminish over time. But, unfortunately, mine hasn’t, and it’s beginning to fuck with what I think should be perfection.

Mike and his wife of ten-plus years now, Cheryl, live nearby. They seem fairly happy, too, until you look a little deeper. Which I often do. With Brent away so much, I spend a fair amount of time with Mike and Cheryl. I go out with my friends too, but Mike and I have a lot in common, and not only interests-wise—we are both creative. I have my writing and he has this passion for photography that I think I’ve finally convinced him to pursue.

As long as I’ve known Mike, he’s worked in construction. I also know he hates it. Especially now that he’s getting a little older and his back and his knees have started to protest the constant activity. I mean, thirty-five isn’t old by any means, but it isn’t just his body that it’s taking a toll on. He isn’t happy, and I know from experience what a rush it is to have an article published, or some kind of recognition for a job well done. Mike’s photographs are really good, and I know in my heart that he could make a go of it, if he would just give himself the chance.

And how do I know all this? Well, even though we do a lot of things together as couples when Brent is home—which isn’t often—lately it’s just been Mike and me. We find ourselves spending more and more time together. Cheryl is often busy with her newest get-rich-quick scheme or charity events. To her, life is all about money, and other people’s perceptions of her and the life that she and Mike have carved out. She wants people to think that she and Mike live a whole lot more comfortably than they really do.

And my husband, Brent—when he isn’t away on business—has a passion of his own. And it isn’t me. Currently, she is housed in the garage under a custom-fit car cover. She is sleek, shiny, and midnight black with four hundred and six cubic inches of raw power, that I can’t compete with.

+18 Excerpt:

We paid the bill, then headed for the truck.

In the parking lot, Mike handed over the keys.

In a moment of sheer insanity on my part, I threw my arms around his waist and gave him a squeeze. “I really am proud of you, you know.”

He placed his arm around my shoulder and he pulled me closer. I felt his chest rumble. “Thanks, Hails.”

We slowed our progress, as if neither one of us was in any hurry to get to the truck. I laid my head back against his shoulder. We walked to the passenger’s side of the truck and I hit the remote on his key fob, unlocking the doors. I opened it for him. He laughed. “I’m supposed to get the door for you.”

“Oh, I thought that was just a shotgun thing, not a chivalry thing. A woman can open the door for a dude, ya know,” I said with mock impatience. “Just get in.”

He turned to face me and, to my surprise, he reached out and tucked my hair behind my ear. “You’re really lame, ya know?” He laughed at my expense.

“I think that’s an eighties catchphrase. And yeah, I know I’m lame, but you love me anyway.” I tossed his words from earlier back at him.

But his smile slipped. “Yeah. I do.”

Something in his voice made every body part I owned turn liquid. In my head, I rushed to tell myself that he meant like a brother and that he’d had a few beers, but his next words stopped my thought process cold.

“You might be the only thing I’ve ever envied about my little brother.”

He moved his hand to the side of my neck and grazed my cheek with his thumb. Then his lips were there, hovering just inches from mine, as if he were seeking permission. My senses swam with the possibilities.

I pounced, seizing what might be my only opportunity to kiss him. I didn’t hold back—he experienced the full-on, ravenous impact of years of worship and sexual fantasies that had run the gamut from sweet, innocent eighteen-year-old’s kisses to the tantalizing nocturnal fantasy that I’d created just the night before.

I flattened my chest against his, trying to get inside his coat. He spun me around, and nudged me onto the seat of the truck. I didn’t want to separate from his lips afraid that if we lost contact he would call a halt to this. So, I fisted my hands into his shirt and hauled him in after me. I opened my legs, encouraging him between them.

When he followed, I crabbed toward the driver’s side. My shoulder hit the steering wheel. I released his shirt long enough to grope for the tilt-steering lever. I pushed the wheel up to give us a little extra room. He was not a small man. The thought shot another little thrill through my already highly sensitized body.

He reached backward with one arm, trying to close the door, but I pulled him toward me with all my strength. I wanted to get as much as I could before he put a stop to this. I knew he would. He was too nice a guy to let this happen. What did that say about me?

“Let me get the door,” he said against my mouth. His breathing was choppy and heavy.

I released him long enough so that he could reach behind him. The door clicked and I didn’t even have to coax him back—he was there and kissing me. I strained to get closer to him. He settled his hips between my thighs. His thick erection prodded my entrance through my jeans. I rubbed my aching cunt shamelessly over his rock-hard cock. I was soaking wet.

Needy sounds erupted from the back of my throat. I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anything, and at that very moment I didn’t care about anything else. Not Brent. Not Cheryl. Not even the fact that I was probably making an absolute fool of myself. There was one thing on my mind, and that was getting him inside my body.

Impatiently, I yanked at the bottom of his shirt. As I dragged the flannel up his chest, he pushed at my t-shirt. His large, warm palm passed over my ribs. Skin met skin, but it wasn’t enough for me. I let him push my top all the way up, exposing my bra. He smoothed his hand over me, before cupping my breast. I pressed more fully into his hand. My nipple pearled against his palm. 

“Mmm,” he hummed, a deep affecting sound. He gave my breast a firm squeeze as he hunted around back for the hooks, but the bra had a front clasp. I made a protest into his mouth as I directed his hand back around to the front. He undid my bra, setting my breasts free. He released my mouth, then kissed a slow scorching path down my neck and chest, finally fastening his hot lips around my nipple.

I moaned at the exquisite sensation, arching my back, giving him full access. He growled in return and I wanted to laugh out loud. This was incredible! He swirled his tongue—my nipple tightened into a hard knot, and my pussy contracted. He rocked his hips. I could almost imagine he was inside me. If not for the goddamn clothes between us, he would be. I wanted it. I wanted it now!

He fluttered his clever tongue, and thrust his hips faster. Christ! I was so beyond turned on, I was going to come, and I wanted him inside me when I did.

I reached between us and undid the snap of his jeans. I grazed my fingers over the tip of his smooth cock with one hand, while unzipping his pants with the other.

All of a sudden, he blocked my hands, and released my breast.

“Hails!” He gasped for breath.

And there it was. He was too good a guy to let this happen.

“What are we doing?” The anguish in his voice broke my determination to push him over the edge.

I made a disappointed, frustrated noise and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to see the guilt on his handsome face. He sat up. I slid my leg out from behind him and pulled my shirt down, then struggled to refasten my bra. My fingers shook with latent need and embarrassment. I fought against the hot tears that threatened to cascade down my cheeks and make us both more miserable than we already were. I knew my tears would only double his guilt, so I tried not to let them fall.

I fumbled to put the key in the ignition. I wanted to get the hell out of there before he tried to talk to me. I only had a thin hold on the tidal wave of emotion that was threatening.

Calmly, he placed his hand over mine and helped me fit the key in. But to my horror, he didn’t let go of my hand. “Hails.”

“I’m fine,” I blurted, snatching my hand away.

I started the truck and tried to drive through the haze of stinging, shameful tears. It wasn’t even shame that we were both married people that I was feeling. It was deep disappointment that I hadn’t gotten what I’d wanted. My body still screamed for release. Maybe I’d feel the right kind of guilt tomorrow.

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