Aliyah Burke ~ Sensuality in Romance

Happy Wednesday. Today we’re heading back to 1811 where Colin meets Najja. Enjoy!

From England’s cold mausoleum homes to Africa’s vastness, Colin fights for the love and respect of a warrior’s heart to keep his family together.
Preferring solitude, Colin Faulkner resides at his country estate. Yet, fate being fickle, introduces a mysterious woman into his life. Societal dictates say he has no business wanting her…he does.
Najja’s in England for one thing, however, meeting Colin changes everything. After he unexpectedly becomes Earl of Clifton, Najja withdraws. Her excuse? His title. Her vow.
Colin doesn’t care, but wanting and having Najja are two different things. For Najja can never truly be his so long as another controls her.
Obstacles are meaningless when a love that spans the continents is…
What the Earl Desires
Excerpt for What the Earl Desires

She sank her hands into the cool silken waves he called hair, it smoothed over her skin like water. Eyes closed she barely noticed when he lifted her with one hand to straddle his lower body. All she knew was he felt delicious between her spread legs. In and out his thick tongue plunged making her squirm as longing filled her. A longing for something more, to find some sort of completion.
His touch skimmed her breast and the tip hardened to a point, craving more of his scandalous caress. She whimpered and rubbed against him which in turn created a rumble from his chest. She rocked again. And again. Only when she felt his touch at her waist did she wrench her eyes open and end the kiss.
Dragging her mouth from his, she stared at him while her heart pounded out of control. He stared at her, his nose flaring with every deep breath he ingested. Colin moved his eyes from her face down to the blatant tell of her arousal. Her breasts remained pebbled and the blouse she wore couldn’t hide that fact. His gaze was wild when he returned it to hers.
Before he could say a word, she slithered off his lap and put a bit of distance between them. “I believe that seals the deal then, Mr. Faulkner.”
Eyes narrowing he growled, “Colin, damn it. Call me Colin.”
“Colin.”
He pushed up from the bed and stalked toward her. She refused to show fear or cower so she lifted her chin and held his gaze the entire way. Not that she feared he would physically harm her, more like she feared her own reaction to this man who made her think of nothing but nakedness, sex and lots of it.
“You want me to leave?” Honey dripped off his words enticing her to take a taste. Just one more. What harm could it do?
“It is not a matter of what I want or not. Your part of the deal was for a kiss. You got that.” For the life of her she wanted him to stay. Longed for him to lift her in strong arms and carry her to the bed. Undress her and…
He continued to approach until there was no space between them. “I will leave for now, Najja, for we both know what is about to happen if I stay. But we have a lot to figure out between us. I want that intimate kiss, more than you could possibly know.” Colin lowered his head and brushed his lips along hers, tenderly. “Good night, luv.”
She found herself alone and with shaking legs, sank to the thick blue and brown rug and dropped her head into quavering hands. By the gods, what had she done? This was not the way for her to act. She was here to do a job, nothing more.
At least the deal is sealed and I know Jo will be in good hands when I leave. Still trembling, she got to her feet and made her way to the bed where Colin Faulkner had shattered the bubble she’d erected around her heart and crawled in. His scent still present and she didn’t wish to acknowledge that it made her feel all the more comfortable having it in her nose as she drifted off to sleep.
She woke early unsure if she truly felt rested or not. Seated on her trunk at the end of her bed she barely looked up from where she strapped on her sais when the door opened and Jo stuck her head in.
“Morning, Najja.”
“Morning, Jo. I am almost ready.”
She didn’t try to hide the weapons, Jo knew she carried them with her all the time. As well as her other weapons. Tying the final rawhide strip, she glanced up to see her friend watching her with a mischievous sparkle in her brilliant blue eyes. Immediately she became suspicious.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Narrowing her gaze, she slid the sai home and placed her booted feet upon the floor. “Since when do you lie to me?”
“When do you lie to me?”
Najja frowned. “I have done no such thing.”
Jo crossed her arms drawing the purple muslin tighter. “Then tell me,” she demanded with annoyingly smug satisfaction, “why I saw Colin sneak out of your room last night, looking all kinds of satisfied.”
Drat.

Happy Wednesday! I hope this hump day is going to be a wonderful one! Ever wondered where Talios (from the Kemet Uncovered series) first made his appearance? Right here in this story. Enjoy the snippet.

Expelling a huge sigh of relief, Damian shut the door to his apartment behind him. “Damn that woman,” he muttered as he kicked off his shoes. Angela had renewed her efforts all the way back to her place to get him to sleep there with her. To have a repeat of this afternoon. But every time she touched him, he felt himself fight not to pull away, repulsed. Like I want anyone after having been touched by perfection.
Leaning against the cool wood of the door, he ran his mind over the events of the evening. “I could have sworn that she had really touched me in that room,” he voiced his belief to the quiet of his apartment.
“I did.”
Damian felt his heart triple in speed. Her voice was everywhere. “Great, now I am hearing her voice outside my head,” he cursed as he pulled off his tie and marched to his bedroom. That sailed to land on a chair and he tugged off his socks as well.
“That’s because I am here, Damian. All you need to do is open your eyes and look.” There was mild censure in the tone.
Glancing around his room, Damian groaned in desperation. I’m going crazy. There was nothing to be seen. “I have officially lost it.”
“Come back into the living room,” the feminine voice ordered.
Unbuttoning the top three buttons of his dress shirt, he did as commanded. There leaning up against the wall by his artifact display stood none other than, Amenitré. “How…you…here…how…”
Her golden eyes ran over his body, and the dirty feel of Angela’s touch vanished as the warmth of her gaze caressed him. “I’m here because for some reason, I can’t get you out of my head. And we began something in that museum that needs to be finished.”
His indigo stare took in the fact that she wore a loose fitting red garment. It flowed about her and tantalized him the more he looked at it. There was a diamond of material missing allowing him to see her belly button and the tantalizing skin immediately around it. Her hair was still free and it settled about her like a cloud.
“How did you know where I live?” he asked. When she raised a jet black brow, he continued, “What happened at the museum? I don’t understand what is going on here.” He was getting frustrated. Fighting the urge to go to her was getting harder and harder.
Pushing away from the wall, she expelled a breath, showing off her annoyance. “Fine. You really want to know? I’ll tell you.”
Damian bit his lip as he saw the deep v-neck of her dress showed off tattoos on her breasts. There was another mark on her arm, but the sleeve concealed it from him. “I want you,” were the only words out of his mouth.

Wednesday, we all know what that means. Another snippet. Today is Ross and Dez. Enjoy!

Finally warm, dry, and comfortable, Dezarae slipped back into her bedroom to check on her “guest.” He had drunk the cup of broth she had made for him but she wanted to wake him up every now and then. His head injury was cleaned and bandaged and, as she looked at him, she saw he was sleeping comfortably.
Gathering up his wet clothes, she searched for any kind of iden-tification and couldn’t find a single thing. No wallet, nothing.
“Well,” she whispered as she took his clothes out of the room and put them in the washer. “I sure hope you aren’t a serial killer.” After the load was set, she returned to her room.
“Wake up,” she said softly. Nothing. Fearing the worst, Dezarae reached down to pat him on the cheek. “Hey,” she spoke in a normal tone. “Wake up.”
The second her hand landed on his stubbled face, her wrist was caught in an ironclad grasp. Panicked, she flashed her eyes to his and found herself looking into the steeliest gunmetal eyes she had ever seen. They were alert and they scared her.

Ross had an instinctive reaction when her hand touched his face. Without conscious thought, he grabbed her wrist in his hand. She gave a frightened gasp as her eyes moved up to meet his.
Chocolate. Sinfully dark chocolates were what her eyes remind-ed him of.
She was pretty, if he wanted to think about it. A thick green sweatshirt and a pair of black sweatpants concealed most of her figure from him, but he would guess she was very curvaceous. A large pair of fuzzy red slippers was on her feet, as if she had killed Elmo or Animal to make them. Her skin was brown, nut-brown, and he would put her height at about five-five. Her hair was thick and curly, hanging down past her shoulders, framing her face gently. Her lips were full and lush.
But it was her eyes that got him. They were dark and stared di-rectly at him with concern and a little bit of fear.
He wished he knew who she was.

A pink tongue snuck out and licked full dusky lips. “Can you let me go please? I am not going to hurt you. I just had to wake you up.” Dezarae could feel the intense pounding of her heart. “Please, you’re hurting me.”
Those eyes never left hers as he dropped her wrist as if it burned him. He remained silent as she stood straight and rubbed her sore wrist. “Sorry I frightened you but I was worried that you had fallen unconscious again,” she muttered, still absently rubbing the area.
Those smoky eyes moved down her body slowly and back up again, making Dezarae feel as if she stood before him totally naked. When that intense gaze reached her eyes again, she felt flushed.
Damn it. No man has made me feel like this before. At least not a man I don’t know and have never met.  Swallowing to give herself extra time to regain her composure, Dezarae tried to affect an indifferent expression.
“Can you stay awake until I get you some more broth to drink?” she asked, glad he didn’t know her well enough to know just how affected her voice sounded.
Still, all he did was stare at her. Jesus that is one unnerving stare. “I will take that as a ‘Yes.’ I’ll be right back.” Dezarae fled to the solitude of her kitchen and made him another cup of broth. By the time it was ready, her heartbeat had returned to normal.
This time she knocked on the doorframe before she walked in, holding the cup as if it would keep her safe from him and his stare. With determined steps, she moved to the bedside and held it out to him even as his eyes held hers.
“Here, drink this.” His gazed flicked from the cup to her face. My God, he is suspicious. “What, you think it’s poisoned?”
His eyes narrowed as they moved from her face down her chest and back again. They stared into her soul and assessed her. Unnerved her.
“Look.” She put the cup up to her lips and took a drink of the warm liquid. “It is fine; now, come on, you need to get some nourish-ment in you.” Dezarae offered him the cup again.
One strong, tanned hand reached up and took the cup from hers. A quivering began in her belly as his fingers grazed against hers. Bringing the cup to his mouth at the very last second, he turned it and drank from the exact spot where she had put her lips. Those gray eyes never left hers as he drained the cup.
What would it be like to have his lips on mine? Guess he doesn’t have anything against me yet.  Knees trembling from the erotic picture his lips touching the same place as hers had, she took the cup back and swal-lowed. Now was as good a time as any. “Who are you?”
He blinked and looked almost hesitant. Dark, masculine brows furrowed in thought only to scrunch together tighter before he looked up at her and said in a confused voice, “I don’t know.”

Another week at the halfway point. Hope it’s going well for all y’all.

This week, part from my story which is in an anthology with fellow authors:

Kelley Nyrae, Alexis Ke, and Yvette Hines.

My story is entitled: On the High Seas

“Give me some help down here!”
Galen sprinted back through the door and the ship to burst into the medical room, ready for anything. His warrior woman had woken and had managed to back herself into a corner where she waved a scalpel.
One eye sealed shut and the other not much better. Doc tried to calm her but to no avail. He could see her fear behind the bravado act.
“Clear the room.” Galen ordered his voice calm.
“What?” Doc and Ryder asked simultaneously, shock apparent.
“Do it now,” he bit off. “And close the hatch behind you.”
Galen never took his eyes off the petrified woman. Her dark hair fell in a ratty mess past her shoulders. Her brown skin seemed pale, from lack of sun he bet. She wasn’t rail thin but a woman with curves. One which would mold perfectly to a man while in his arms. He would be more than happy to play the man part in that scenario.
With a sharp mental reprimand, he focused on the matter before him.
“You sure about this, man?” Ryder asked. “Maybe I—”
“Go.”
Galen knew why Ryder tried to offer to do this, gentleness not a word most people used for him. Normally he would have not put up an argument but this little woman made him acquire the gut reaction of possessiveness. Moreover, he wanted none of the men near her.
The door latched and he knew they were alone. He moved slowly toward her. She adjusted her stance and tightened her grip on the razor sharp blade. A crude and overall ineffective grip, one he could disarm in mere seconds, but what she lacked in knowledgeable talent she made up in determination.
“You’re safe, Taryn,” he said removing his tactical vest and lying it on the table she’d once occupied. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Stay back,” she rasped.
“I can’t. You need an IV and to let Doc finishing checking you over.”
She shook her head. “No.” Her free hand groped along the wall as if seeking support and stability. He knew it hurt her given it happened to be the same side as her shoulder injury.
“Yes. Come on.” Another step towards her brought the scalpel up another notch. “You’re safe, Taryn. No one is going to hurt you.”
“My name…”
“Yes.” He scrambled to recall one of the men’s names. “Geoff said your name was Taryn.”
The hand gripping her impromptu weapon wobbled. “Are…are they okay?”
Her concern for them impressed him. “Yes.” Another step and she shook but neither the fear nor determination wavered. “I’m going to help you to the table, Taryn. You keep the scalpel and stab me if you have to. I won’t hurt you, but sweetheart, you’re about to collapse.”
“Don’t…call me sweetheart,” she said.
He did smile then before he positioned himself by her injured side giving her an unobstructed line of attack if she wanted to. Dangerous, yes, but he had to assure her he would not harm her. Sure, he could disarm her but somewhere beyond the wall of ice around his heart, he wanted her to trust him. Like a young girl from long ago did.
What is wrong with me?
She stiffened at his touch but didn’t pull away. As before, she felt right against him. He assisted her to the table and on to it, sliding his tactical vest toward the end. The bruising on her face broke his heart.
“I need to get you on an IV. I’ll get Doc.”
“No. You.”
He could hear her plea. Her tenuous trust went only as far as him. Galen licked his lips and nodded. With a harsh breath, he gathered the required items and sat down before her. Head dipped he began to sterilize her arm. There was strength below her skin. He’d just slid the needle beneath her skin when the scalpel clattered to the floor. Thumb securing the item in place he jerked his head up, unsure if she’d lost consciousness or not.
She hadn’t however, her brown eyes were wide and a bit unfocused.
“You okay, sweetheart?”
“Bane?” His heart stopped. “Can it be?” Then she passed out, only his quick reaction stopping her from hitting hard. He used one arm to guide her slowly to lie down. His hands shook, actually shook, as he taped the IV in place.

Happy happy Wednesday!!

Today I thought we’d revisit with Pete Kysenzki and his wife Sidra Bonnaire. Enjoy!

The store was warm and clean. He shivered again and pulled the door closed behind him. Shelves were stocked full and he could hear muffled laughter toward the back. Pete removed his gloves while he walked and when he turned a corner he stopped at the sight of a large man hovering over a woman whispering into her ear.
Her laughter, deep and husky sent spirals of longing through him. And he knew who it was. Only one woman’s laugh had the ability to make him able to split wood with his cock. Sidra Bonnaire. And it didn’t matter how long it had been, his shaft knew it for it pressed hard against his jeans. Her head was tucked with the other man’s and unexplained jealousy washed over him. Shoving his gloves in his pocket he cleared his throat and crossed his arms. The couple sprang apart and looked at him. Pete could only stare.
Sidra Bonnaire. The years had been amazing to her. Her cocoa skin shone with health, those slightly tilted eyes of raw umber stared at him from behind thick black lashes. The coal black wavy hair cascading around her oval face called to his fingers to sink into it. Her full lips which could do, and had done, wicked and unspeakable things to his cock were parted with surprise. She wore a pale brick man’s sweatshirt and tight blue jeans which only highlighted her curves off to him.
“Pete,” she said in disbelief.
“Do you know him, Sidra?” the man beside her asked, placing his hand on her arm in a postulating action.
Pete growled low in his throat and lifted a shoulder briefly. To hell with it. Striding over to her, he jerked her away from the man touching her and pulled her flush to his chest. Delving one hand into her hair, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. He thrust his tongue deep into her mouth, groaning in the back of his throat when his senses were swamped by her addicting taste. Damn I had forgotten just how completely intoxicating she was. He plundered, sweeping deep until she sagged into him. Then he ended it, reluctantly for every inch of his body was ready to strip her naked and sink deep where he belonged. Within her.
“Well, hell, I’ve missed you baby,” he drawled.
Her eyes were wide and he felt another flash of lust when her tongue snuck out and skimmed her lips.
“Who the hell are you?” the since forgotten man demanded.
Pete turned his head and stared at him. Hauling Sidra back up against him when she made to walk off, he let his fingers caress her ass claiming her. “I’m Pete Kysenzki, her husband.”

I do hope all the mother’s had a wonderful Mother’s Day this past Sunday.

This week we’re visiting Devi and Rhodes. Enjoy them!

The following afternoon, Devi lay in her hammock, enjoying the idyllic day. Her doorbell chimed and she sighed, reluctant to get up.
“It’s open,” she called out.
The familiar masculine scent that had surrounded Rhodes told her who it was before he’d even made it through the house. Turning her head, she watched him step out onto the patio.
“Kind of dangerous, don’t you think, just inviting people in without knowing who it is?” he asked, giving her a disapproving look before putting a bouquet of flowers on the table.
She almost laughed at that, but smothered it. He was concerned about her. How cute.
Today, Rhodes wore khaki slacks and a dark blue polo-necked shirt. Licking her lips, she swung her legs over and got up from the comfort of her hammock. He glanced at her and swallowed. Hard.
She knew it was her outfit. Cream-coloured gauze woven with gold threads made up her halter-top dress with its deep V-neck. Although the material reached the floor, slits in the skirt ran up to the tops of her thighs. With each step she took, one leg flashed through. And she knew it looked good on her—hell, it had been made just for her.
“Cat got your tongue, Rhodes?”
His forehead had a sheen of sweat on it.
“No. That’s… It’s… Damn.”
“I take it that’s a good thing,” she said with an assured smile.
“Oh, yeah,” he rumbled. He flexed his fingers like he wanted to grab her.
“Thank you.”
He had to tear his gaze away from her nearly exposed chest. “What for?”
“The flowers. They’re beautiful.”
He acted as if he’d forgotten he’d even brought them. “You’re welcome,” he muttered, his gaze on her.
“Something I can do for you, Rhodes?”
“I came to ask you to dinner.” His voice still not as smooth as it had been.
“You didn’t call.”
“I wanted to see you.” His eyes burnt feverishly. “Luckily, I’m a resourceful man—you didn’t give me much to go on.”
“You are that. I knew you’d find me if you wished to see me.”
Warmth surrounded her at his admission. “I’ll go get changed.” She moved past him and headed towards the sliding door, then paused and glanced back over her left shoulder. “A little help?”
He approached and stood behind her. His size made her feel dainty and protected. Without a word, she moved her hair out of the way. Her skin tingled from the light brush of his fingertips as he undid the bow holding up her dress.
“There you go,” he whispered in her ear, his breath teasing her skin.
“Be right back.”
She let go of her hair and it swung back into place, covering her to the small of her back. He gasped as she left him there, in between indoors and out. Alone except for her dress, which had pooled at his feet.

Happy Wednesday to all y’all.

This week we’re hanging with the hero and heroine of The Best Thing Yet, Book 2 in the McKingley series. Enjoy!!

Excerpt for The Best Thing Yet

His nostrils flared and a muscle ticked in his jaw. A single droplet of water ran down his temple as he lowered his face back to hers. His eyes were dark and filled with barely constrained desire. “You are one hell of a temptress, Arissa Wright. Teasing me like this. Perhaps there should be a test. I am a teacher, after all.” He winked and that single action sent shivers of longing through her.
“I suppose I could go for a lesson,” she paused, “or two.”
“Be careful I don’t carry you off right now.” Promise laced his tone.
Arissa wrinkled her nose. “Sorry. Time for my Tae-Bo class.” She stood, allowing her body to slide along his wet one. “Enjoy the rest of your swim. See you later.” Lifting her bag, she walked away with an added swish to her hips, knowing full well he watched.
As she walked from the gym to her suite, there was a smile on her face. She felt good, and from all indications, tonight would be the night she got to see the part of Deiter she hadn’t been allowed to see yet. Moisture flooded her pussy at the thought of having the chance to experience the tall, strong German.
“Man,” she muttered as she rounded the corner. “I’m bad off.”
“Anything I can help with?” A deep voice questioned.
Jerking her head up in surprise, a gasp escaped her as the image of the man she’d just thought about filled her sight. Deiter Schneider. He stood there, leaning against the door to her room, looking more gorgeous than sin. Everyone said Lucifer had been the most attractive of angels before he fell, and she’d bet anything Deiter could give him a run for his money.
His legs were hooked at the ankle, allowing the jeans he wore to pull tight against his rock-hard thighs. Deiter wore a dark blue sleeveless tee shirt, and his well-defined arms were also crossed. She licked her lips and swallowed, trying to get moisture into her extra dry mouth. Blue-gray eyes were full of mischief and longing as he held her gaze.
“Arissa?”
“It’s not time for supper yet, is it?” she asked, reaching for her keycard and swiping it. The door unlocked, but still Deiter didn’t move except to place his hand on the handle and keep it cracked open. With no response forthcoming, she glanced at him only to find his gaze had lost all joviality and simmered with heat.
“Invite me in,” he murmured.
She slid past him, and once in her room, rested her head against the edge of the door and held his stare. Slowly, and with extreme attention to detail, Arissa scanned him from the floor up. From the loosely laced tennis shoes, over the thigh-hugging jeans and up the shirt that only amplified his physique to his face. He still waited for her, his eyes straightforwardly direct. And molten hot.
“Come in?” she questioned on a soft breath.

Happy Wednesday.

Today we’re hanging with Jake and Tahnee. Enjoy.

He stood in the doorway dressed in a dark charcoal gray suit with green accents. Green that only enhanced the intensity of his eyes as they found and held her gaze. He stepped through, allowing the door to close behind him and strode with unwavering purpose directly toward Tahnee.

Only when he got inches from her, did he slow. One arm reached for her and tugged her close into his broad chest. His free hand cupped her soft face and held it in place as his mouth lowered to land upon hers.

Dear Lord, this man can kiss. Tahnee felt her knees buckle at the pressure of his lips on hers. It was like she was a fine wine and he was all into the art of wine-tasting. His tongue traced her full lips before descending into the warmth of her mouth.

With a mind of their own, her hands entangled themselves in the lapels of his suit coat and pressed her body closer to his hard one. Her eyes drifted closed as moisture swept through her like a raging river. The wetness he created in her made Javon’s seem like the Kalahari Desert.

Her nipples were taut and crying out for his touch. She wanted to remove his clothes and see if his chest was as hard as it felt. Oh my God, it was heaven being in this embrace.

Slowly he drew back from her luscious mouth and sent her a bone-melting grin. “Sorry I’m late, baby,” he said in a deep seductive voice. “I didn’t think work would run that long.” One arm slid around her waist tucking her securely into his side. He turned his attention to the couple before him. “You must be the sister I’ve heard so much about.”

Dark brown eyes narrowed as they looked upon him. “You can’t be serious. Are you trying to tell me you are the handsome man she is dating?” The voice was full of skepticism. “He’s white!”

Jake laughed. His rich voice like music to Tahnee’s ears. “I don’t know about the handsome bit, but I am the man lucky enough to be part of her life. And yes, I am, glad we got that bit out of the way.” His lips brushed against Tahnee’s forehead, immediately calming her.

Happy Wednesday! The final Wednesday in April, this year is really flying by. I thought we’d visit Seattle and Ian/Fallon’s story, The Detective’s Lover. Enjoy!!

A beautiful no-nonsense marine, one by-the-book ruggedly handsome homicide detective, and the case that may well give them eternal bliss or eternal rest, can they trust in each other long enough to find out which it will be?

Fallon Maddox is reunited with her family the day they bury her father. She has no idea that coming home will be the beginning of an adventure she may not survive and even if she does, her life will never be the same. Ian Cavanaugh is a homicide detective who is wrapped up in a case that may not be as simple as it first appears. The deceased is the father of a group of foster children who had made quite a reputation for themselves when he was growing up. He knew it was in his best interest to get the case solved…and fast. His priorities begin to waver as he is reunited with the only daughter in the family. Her never-wavering calm makes him want to shatter it and expose the passion he knows lies beneath it. No matter how hot blooded their unions are, it was becoming clear that he may have to chose between love and his brotherhood in blue, for their families seemed to always be at increasing odds. Will he have time to make the decision or will it be made for him?
Unedited excerpt from The Detective’s Lover

Ian was restless. It was two minutes until seven and still there remained no sign of Fallon. He looked down at his clothes, hiking boots, jeans, and a long sleeved shirt under his Seahawks jacket. He didn’t want to overdress, but part of him had.
God, I’m acting like it’s a date.
“What is all this about, Detective Cavanaugh?”
He almost jumped. One second she wasn’t there, the next she was, materializing out of the air for all the noise she made.
“Good evening, Ms. Maddox.”
His heart sped up as their gazes met. There was just something about her. Ian watched her eyes, noting the emotionless state of her gaze. There was no fear, which pleased him, but there was not anything there at all. That bothered him.
“I didn’t come here for another of your lessons in manners, Detective. Your kind has nothing I wish to learn.”
He ran his eyes over her. Hair pulled back in a bun, as opposed to lunch when it had flowed about her otherwise she wore the same thing.
“What do you mean my kind?” He knew she had three white brothers, so it couldn’t be race, could it?
“Cops. You and your blue blooded camaraderie that covers for each other.” Her contemptuous tone told him that this was exactly what she’d meant by her earlier statement.
He bristled. “So what, you prefer Marines to cops? Is that why your hair was down with him?”
“Is this what you wanted to discuss with me, Detective? My hair? Why I prefer the company of Marines to cops?”
Ian held up a gloved hand. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things.” He flinched when the wind picked up.
“Why am I here?”
“I wanted to talk to you about the case.”
Fallon leaned back against the railing. “So talk.”
Ian watched her face in the glow of the streetlights. The weather didn’t seem to bother her, instead it added a rosy tint to her beautiful dark skin. The horn from a ferry broke through the night.
“I think you’re right. There is something off about the report. I want to find the truth and I think if we can put aside our differences we could figure it out.” Ian waited. He frowned as amusement crossed her face.
“Is that what this is? An attempt to ferret out what I’ve learned?” She pushed away from the rails and closed the distance between herself and him. “And tell me, Detective. How far are you willing to go with this charade?”
Ian tried to ignore his body’s reaction to her nearness. How the lights shone off her lips, calling him to taste them. He swallowed and tried to tell his rapidly hardening erection to behave.
“It’s not like that.”
Fallon moved closer still. “No?” Her voice got all low and throaty. “I want to know how far you’re going to go to make me happy in hopes I’ll tell you what I know.” Her hands left her pockets and slid up his chest.
Ian fisted his gloved hands at his side. He had to forcibly stop himself from moving. Either into or away from her touch. His cock leapt to attention.
“Tell me, Detective. What have you been cleared to do? What’s the limit?” She wrapped her hands around his neck, pressing flush against him.
He gulped as her mouth moved closer.
Fallon’s fingers covered by soft leather teased the back of his neck. “Will you take me out?” She blinked once, slowly, her thick lashes falling and rising again. “Would you actually sleep with a Maddox?” Her lips were millimeters away from his, fanning his mouth with her warm breath.
Ian gave in with a low growl. He hauled her in close and covered her mouth with his.

Hope y’all are having a wonderful week. Here is a snippet from the leader of the Megalodon Team, Harrier’s Healer. Enjoy!!

Rule abiding Naval doctor Alexis Rogets, was fazed by one thing only. The blond commander that she had met two years previous. He owned her dreams.  If only all dreams could become reality. But, rules were rules.
Navy SEAL Scott Leighton hadn’t been able to get the toffee skinned Venus out of his mind. Every time he closed his eyes he saw her curvaceous body and her siren-like tiger-eye eyes. He knew she was the one…the only one for him the moment they touched. Just like he knows, some rules were made to be broken.
From the Pacific to the Atlantic to Hong Kong and back, Alexis fights her growing attraction while he fights to have a chance.
Well he wasn’t a SEAL for nothing, Scott is determined to make her realize that their destinies are intertwined. She needed him and he—well, she is after all…
HARRIER’S HEALER

“Why won’t you tell me where we are going?” Alexis protested as the driver put her bags in the trunk of the cab. She climbed into the backseat ahead of the blond-haired, blue-eyed man with her.
“Don’t you think that defeats the whole idea of a surprise?” he responded with a chuckle.
“Humph.” She slid across the leather seat so he could climb in on the same side, and tried to ignore the fact that her neighbors were watching avidly.
“Come on, now. You’ll love it, I promise,” he coaxed for a smile and was rewarded with one. His gaze also took in the ogling stares but they didn’t seem to affect him at all.
Closing the door he smiled as the taxi drove them away from prying eyes. He looked at the woman beside him. Meeting his eyes, she fell victim to his cornflower-blue orbs. “Where are we going?” she tried again.
“These lips are sealed,” he answered with a wink.
Alexis looked down at herself. She wore khaki capris and a black sleeveless shirt that displayed her well-toned arms. On her feet was a pair of black sandals that showed off the French manicure on her toes. Her hair was loose, framing her face, softening her appearance even more. “How can I be sure I packed the right clothing?”
Scott shook his head. “Not gonna work.  I was with you as you packed so you have the right clothes.”
“Fine,” Alexis huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You’re very adorable when you pout, did you know that?”
“I’m not pouting.”
He shrugged. “Okay, but I still think you’re adorable.”
Adorable. That one word made her feel like the only woman in the world. “Will you do something for me?”
“What is it?” He moved his burning gaze up from her chest to her face.
“Teach me some self-defense moves.”
His eyes turned stormy. “Who’s threatened you?” The menace in his voice caused even the cabbie to look at him in shock with a bit of fear.
She immediately reached across the cab and laid a dark hand on his solid arm. “No one. I just want to learn.” At his skeptical look, she reiterated, “No one has threatened me.”
“Alexis,” came a deep rumbling growl.
“I promise, Commander, no one has threatened me.” She began to move her arm back and he grabbed hold of it and skated her body across the smooth seat to anchor her next to him.
“You will tell me if anyone does.” It was another order, not a question.
“I don’t need you to protect me.”
“Maybe not, but I need to protect you.” His knuckles skimmed over her cheekbone. “I want your promise, Lex,” he rumbled.
“Okay, I promise. I will let you know if anyone threatens me.” She shook her head in dismay as she spoke.
He opened his mouth to respond verbally but stopped. Any fur-ther protest was halted as the cab pulled up to the airport load-ing/unloading zone to stop by the door for their airline.
“A flight?” Alexis watched as her bags were whisked away by an attendant at Scott’s order.
“You’re not afraid to fly, are you?” he asked as he slid his arm around her back and escorted them inside the cool airport.
“No, I’m not.” Her brows furrowed as she wondered what was in store for her.
“Don’t worry so much. We aren’t leaving the country. Does that help?”
“A bit. There’s gonna be access to a phone if my…our pagers go off, right?”
A low growl slipped from him as if annoyed by the prospect. “We have our cells.” He began to laugh. “I’m not taking you to bum-fuck-Egypt, you know. There will be civilization, precooked food. We aren’t going to be roughing it. I did say vacation.”
Alexis narrowed her gaze at the brunette trying to make eye contact with her handsome traveling companion. “Good,” she said. “’Cause I am going to expect what you promised. Especially the massage. I can’t wait to have a handsome masseur rubbing down my weary body.”
Spinning around to face her, Scott hissed, “I’m gonna be giving you a massage if you want one.” His eyes were narrow slits.
Alexis gave a half shrug. “Whatever.” Inside she was dancing a jig. He couldn’t care less about that cute dark-haired woman who had been flirting with him!
Jerking her up against his firm body, Scott kissed her hard and fast. “No, not ‘whatever.’ Nice to know you were jealous.” His words were whispered. “But why would I want that when I have the most attractive woman in the world right here in my arms?”
“I’m not jealous.” Liar.
“Liar.” Another kiss before he released her and moved them up in the line.