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Love Charm for Carlotta
Love Charm Series – Short Stories
Carlotta doesn’t believe in love charms. Especially not when the bad boy hockey player from her past suddenly re-appears in her life.
But the small town island atmosphere of Martha’s Vineyard conspires against her when she tries to escape him. Do people change, or will she be courting heartbreak again if she succumbs to her high school sweetheart?
Excerpt: Jace slung an arm over Carlotta’s shoulders as they walked back to her house after the barbecue. For the moment, he was content merely to be with her. “Nice night, huh?” he said.
“You’re not invited in.”
He bit back a laugh. When had she become so prickly?
But he sobered quickly. He had a feeling he might be the cause. The time had gone by so quickly, he could scarcely believe it had been twelve years.
“No problem.” He squeezed her shoulder. “I was thinking we could go for a ride. I haven’t been to Menemsha Beach in years.”
Carlotta stopped at the hydrangea bush by her front walk. “A ride? Have you listened to a word I’ve said?”
“Come on, Carlotta.” He edged her around so she faced him. “Look at the stars. Remember how we used to lie on the beach and watch them?”
“When I was young and foolish.” There was more than a trace of bitterness in her voice.
“You were young and lovely.” The waning moon cast a soft light on her face and she looked exactly as she had twelve years ago, when he’d been too dumb to know what he was throwing away. Jace swallowed the sorrow in his throat over all they’d lost. “You’re still lovely, Carlotta.”
She sighed. “I grew up, Jace. This is the woman I am now. I own a home. I own a business. I go to work every day.”
“Take a break for some fun.” He gestured to the bike. “A quick ride to the beach. What’s the harm?”
If only he could get her there, the ocean would soothe her. She’d always loved the scent of the sea and the breeze blowing against her. He could see that she’d changed a lot. She’d become more sober and responsible. But he was betting that the spontaneous girl he’d known back in high school was still buried somewhere inside her.
“I don’t know,” she said.
But she stared at the bike and he knew he’d won. She’d always loved riding with him.
“Come on.” He grabbed her hand and led her over to his Harley. “You remember what to do, right?”
He tossed his helmet off the handlebars, lifted her, and deposited her on the back of the seat. He climbed on in front of her, and turned his head to say, “You don’t mind riding without a helmet?”
“Does it matter if I do?” But she smiled, and her eyes were beginning to sparkle.
“It’s a short trip,” he answered. “But you have to wrap your arms around me, so you don’t fall off.”
Tentatively, she placed her hands on his waist.
He turned around in her driveway and then gunned the bike. She grabbed onto him tightly. A cheap trick, but yeah, that was better. The feel of her small hands pressing into his waist almost distracted him from paying attention to the road. If only she’d move them forward, and a little bit lower. She used to tease him that way, and it was the best foreplay he’d ever had.
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Love Charm for Brenna
Love Charm Series – Short Stories
Brenna casts her love charm at a ritzy Venetian masquerade ball. She knows exactly which guy she wants to win. But two intriguing men appear at the ball. Can she see beneath the disguises to her own true love, even if he’s the unexpected one?
Excerpt: Brenna moved away from Joe. “Let’s play a game, Joe. Our own masquerade game.”
Joe rocked back on his heels to skim his gaze over her. “Will I get to see you naked in this game?”
“Maybe.” She grabbed his coat from where he’d flung it over the chair. He’d put his black mask in his pocket—ah, there it was. She pulled it out.
“Put this on, Joe, so I can concentrate on your—body.”
He groaned. “You’re not blindfolding me, are you?”
“You’ll still be able to see. You’ll be a stranger I’m learning about.”
“And what about you?”
“Oh, the same.” She took the other mask off the coffee table and slipped it over her head.
“I’ll always know you, Brenna. I know your scent, your voice—”
“But you don’t know my body.”
He opened his mouth to speak and she grabbed his hand and placed it on her exposed breast. His fingers tightened on her.
Whatever he’d planned to argue seemed to be forgotten.
They stared at each other for a long moment, until Brenna knew she had to kiss him or die.
“Don’t you want me, Joe?” she whispered.
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Love Charm for Ashley
Love Charm Series – Short Stories
A lonely teacher casts her homemade love charm into the cold waters of Boston Harbor. She wants desperately to believe in her unique magic ingredient to win her a “forever after” love.
The hot Special Forces soldier who appears is desperate for her. But the world is his stomping ground, and nothing lasts for more than a night.
Does the love charm have enough power to create the magic of true love?
Excerpt: “You’re my sister’s roommate? You live with Brenna?” Glen raised his brows. “That’s great.”
Ashley knew better than to ask, but the word came out anyway. “Why?”
He gave her an irresistible grin that she recognized from the photos. All white teeth and wicked curves. “That means I’ll be spending the night with you.”
“Very funny.” She held his gaze, determined not to let him know the flutter his words set up in her breast. Because she knew, with every fiber of her being, that he was the type who could shred her heart without even breaking a sweat.
He winked at her, and she dropped her gaze, realizing he’d caught her staring.
“Don’t be so prickly,” he said. “Join us for a drink. I’m here with some of my mates who hail from New England. Call it a welcome home for a returning soldier.”
“Thank you for your service,” she said primly. “But I’m not attracted to macho men.”
A lie if she’d ever said one. Her entire body was vibrating like a tuning fork that had been struck. Her nipples buzzed madly, her back had straightened ’til it felt like a classroom ruler, and the rest of her simply yearned. Yearned to give in to the pull he exerted, to be drawn against his hard frame.
Pathetic, that’s what she was.
“Good thing I’m not a macho man, then.” His quick grin hit her right in her chest, where butterflies already danced in a mad frenzy. He was too attractive. She should go home.
“Come on.” He pulled gently on the hand he somehow still held. “Brenna’s told me so much about you. I want to hear all about your love charm.” He laughed, his dark eyes gleaming.
Ashley saw red. Brenna had told him about the love charm? No wonder he was looking at her with such interest. He thought she was ripe for the plucking. A lonely first grade teacher, desperate for love.
She needed to scotch that. Forcing a smile onto her face, she waved a careless hand. “Alas, the love charm is no more. It was fun while it lasted, but tonight, we consigned it to the bottom of the sea.”
“That’s too bad,” he said. “I was going to ask you to cast your spell on me. See if I could be caught.”
Slowly, vertebrae by vertebrae, her back tightened as if she were in the grip of a powerful spell herself. Was he making fun of her? He wanted a spell cast? He’d learn to be careful what he wished for.
She dropped her chin, tilted her head and looked up at him through her lashes. “Oh, I’m sure it would require a powerful spell to catch you. Brenna’s told me a lot about you, too.”
He laughed. “And the tales grew with every telling, I have no doubt.”
Good comeback, but she wasn’t done with him yet. She tapped his chest with her free hand. “You look a little underdressed for the weather, big boy,” she said. “You need some warming up?”
He looked down at her and met her eyes. “I could be standing here stark naked, and I wouldn’t be cold when you’re looking at me like that.”
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Baby, It’s Cold Outside
This novella was nominated for Best Romance this year at eFestival of Words!
Jenna entices the man of her dreams into providing a haven for the weekend during a New York City blizzard. Her tools are her flirting skills dressed up with a bit of deception. She needs to make amends for the great wrong she did to him five years ago. Tricking him into having sex would only add to that wrong.
Though he’s never met Jenna before, Grant is immediately drawn to this blizzard-bopping beach babe. He’ll do her, but he doesn’t do deception. He thinks he’s spotted her minor trickery, but the big secret that blew up his life is waiting in the wings…
And things are about to heat up.
Excerpt: Grant watched Jenna shiver, despite the heat of the blaze that scorched his back. He didn’t know why she wasn’t warming up more quickly. Between the fire and the smoking hot woman in front of him, he might have to venture out into the blizzard himself to cool down. His stupid, clueless body didn’t care how lame her story was.
“How long have you known my sister?” His family was a subject that could kill his libido if anything could.
“Several years. I met Kate when I first moved to Florida. Recently, I took one of the classes she teaches at the community center.”
He nodded neutrally. He didn’t care about the damn classes.
“You shouldn’t blame Kate for anything I do,” Jenna added. “She doesn’t think I should be let out after dark without a keeper.”
Grant eyed her bedraggled state. “She might have a point—”
“Hey! I did not pop out of a cake! I am not your singing birthday telegram! So you can just stop eyeing me like I’m your playmate du jour.” She bolted upright and her feet hit the floor.
“Calm down.” He moved after her as she stood, and caught her arm. He was a little appalled at the sense of dismay that had whipped through him when she started to leave. “You can’t go. There’s a terrible storm out there.”
“I came in from that storm, and I can go right back out in it. I’m every bit as tough as I look.”
He couldn’t help laughing. “You don’t look tough at all.” Long, golden brown hair, curling a bit now that it was drying. Big brown eyes that managed to look both uncertain and inviting at the same time. And lips as full as Cupid’s arched bow. Just waiting to strike and slay a man.
She wrenched her arm from his hand. “And don’t patronize me.”
He held up a hand and pantomimed wiping the smile off his face. “Okay then. You are tougher than that ten line algorithm I’ve been working on over there.” He jerked his head towards his computer. “Lord knows it doesn’t talk back like you do.”
She stifled a giggle.
But he didn’t feel like laughing any more. Her arm had still been cold and, when he considered the state of her clothes, he couldn’t be surprised.
“There won’t be any cabs out there, anyway,” he reminded her.
“I got a cab to come here.” She edged away from him.
He grasped her arm again, surprised at his own determination to keep her. “That cab driver was real anxious to hit the road and get home. He said the only good thing about this weather was that the streets are deserted.”
“There’s the subway.”
“They have problems in bad weather, too. Besides, the way you’re dressed you can’t go anywhere.” His eyes strayed to her tits for the hundredth time since she’d appeared. Though he tried not to be obvious, a woman couldn’t dress like she did and not expect a man to look.
“You could lend me a sweatshirt.”
He eyed her sexy sandals. Aside from their complete inability to protect her from the snow, he damn well knew what the message was. As would any other man who saw her in them. “I can’t help you with your footwear. And a sweatshirt with your bare legs sticking out—” He shook his head. “Not safe for public viewing.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Are you kidding? You must know you have fabulous legs.”
“A leg man, are you?”
“Nope. More of a boobs and butts guy myself. Since you asked.” He couldn’t help grinning at her flustered face. “But I like anything and everything on the right woman.”
“I am not the right woman for—for whatever you might be implying.”
“Don’t be so defensive. You can’t go anywhere ’til you warm up.” He slung his arm around her shoulders. “I’ve got some body heat to share.” He tugged her to his side.
Wow, she smelled good. Snow and roses. A potent combination. Especially when combined with a barely-there outfit, a rack to die for, and those legs.
He tried to inhale discreetly. She was up to something more than what she’d told him. He knew that for a fact. But he’d been holed up in his apartment for days, working like the devil, and he could definitely use a break. Besides, he really couldn’t send her back out into the blizzard.”
He glanced out the window where the snow fell silently out of the dark sky, backlit by the lights of New York City. Its beauty didn’t hide its dangers. She had no money, no warm clothes, and nowhere to go, unless he chose to believe her story about the friend she could call. Which he didn’t.
But, even if she was a liar, what harm could she do him? He might as well take advantage of the opportunity fate had dropped into his lap. So to speak. Because his lap was the part insisting as loudly as possible that Jenna should stay at least until it got some relief.
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Reviews:
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside is hot, hot, hot…perfect for a snowy winter night or ANY night. I read this gem of a book in one sitting! ” (Teri on Amazon)
“This sexy short romance will warm you to your toes. I loved how the reader’s comprehension of the heroine’s initial situation kept changing as the hero discovered more about her. ” (Heather Hiestand on Amazon)