Mindful Banter

“I’ve seen this in Lifetime movies. It doesn’t end well.” #MWTease

December 3, 2014 by ReeseRyan

It’s time to sample teasers from a wide range of talented authors. A little something we like to call the Mid Week Tease, hosted by the fabulous Sandra Bunino. If you missed my tease last week (and you probably did, because like the genius I sometimes am, I forgot to sign up for last week’s tease) you’ll find that Melanie and Raine…ahem…made a connection. It’s now the morning after that delicious feeling of complete and utter ecstasy and Mel is still getting to know this new side of Raine.

<=====Excerpt of Making the First Move=====>

Saturday morning I awake alone, tangled in the sheet. I roll over and look at the clock. It’s ten-thirty. Sitting up, I look around for evidence of my night with Raine. I need confirmation that it wasn’t an exceedingly vivid fantasy. Raine’s clothes are no longer on the floor where he’d tossed them last night, but I smell food and hear pots clanging.

Slipping from under the covers, I hurry into the bathroom, grateful I won’t be forced to do an awkward sheet shimmy.

The mirror reveals what Raine must have seen this morning. Hair smashed flat on one side, crust in the corners of my eyes—and is that dried drool? I shudder.

Standing under the steaming hot water in the shower, I lather my hair, replaying the night before. Finally I emerge from the bathroom in my bathrobe—teeth brushed, body scrubbed, hair washed and pulled into a neat, low bun.

I follow the tantalizing aroma of breakfast. Raine stands at the stove barefoot in jeans and an undershirt. He turns toward the sound of my footsteps. His eyes light up and he breaks into a grin that flexes every muscle in his face. The last time someone was this glad to see me, I had to take him for a walk and give him doggy treats.

“Morning, sleepyhead.” He leans in to kiss me then quickly returns his attention to the skillet. “Hungry?”

“You cuddle. You spend the night. You make breakfast.” I shake my head. “Are you for real? ’Cause I’ve seen this in Lifetime movies. It doesn’t end well.”

When he looks away quickly, I’m afraid I’ve offended him. But then the right side of his mouth turns up in a half smile.

“Consider yourself the beneficiary of two decades of trial and error,” he says. “Or maybe this is all part of my evil plan.” He raises his eyebrows up and down manically.

“So there is an evil plan. Well, that’s a relief.” I smile. “But I shouldn’t be surprised. There’s a lot more to you than you let on.” I gently trace the sword tattoo on his right arm with my fingertips.

Raine offers a quick smile before he focuses on his cooking again. He slides a spatula underneath the omelet he’s cooking and gently flips it. “Like I said, things were crazy for a few years. My mother likes to call it my ‘Tattoo Period.’”

“Looks like you were quite the badass.” I touch the faded blue head of a large phoenix across his back. “Exactly how many tattoos do you have?”

“Four. One on each arm. One on my chest. One on my back. It only looks like more because of their size.” He picks up a strip of bacon and offers it to me. I take a bite. “That’s practically a choir boy by NBA standards.”

“True.” I nibble on the bacon. “Still, there must be a helluva story behind every one of those.”

“There is.” A hint of perturbance flashes behind stormy gray eyes. “But that’s a conversation for another day.” The corner of his mouth lifts in a subdued smile as he hands me another piece of bacon.

“Okay,” I concede, taking a seat behind the breakfast bar. “I’m absolutely starving and everything smells and tastes delicious. I have to admit, I’m pretty impressed.”

“Don’t be. It’s the only meal in my repertoire.” His shoulders relax and he smiles. “Got any plans this weekend?”

At least a hundred things I should be doing come to mind. There are plans to make and five years of my life to pack. “Nothing really.”

“I thought we could hang out this weekend.”

“Sounds nice. What did you have in mind?”

“How about a picnic in the park this afternoon?”

“A picnic? I haven’t been on one since I was a kid.”

My dad loved picnics. We would each make our own sandwiches. Mom would make one of her homemade apple pies. We’d play bocce ball. I haven’t thought about those family picnics for years.

I can see and hear my dad so clearly. His broad smile. The glint in his eyes. His contagious laugh. I miss him. But I’m taken off guard by how much I miss the other faces around that picnic blanket—my mother, my sister and Jamie.

“You alright?” Raine sets breakfast in front of me.

“I’m fine. Just thinking about…a picnic.” I smile. “I’d love to go.”

“Great. Now, try this.” He feeds me the spinach omelet he’s been making.

“Delish.” I take the fork from him, stab another forkful and shove it into my mouth.

He pours me a glass of orange juice.

“What else is on the agenda this weekend?” I ask between bites of omelet.

Raine stands behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Let’s just say omelets and orange juice aren’t the only O I plan to give you this weekend.” He laughs when I drop my fork. “I have a few errands to run this morning and I need to go home and change first,” he continues.

“Would it be easier if I just got dressed and went with you?” I ask, hoping for a chance to see his place.

“No,” he says quickly. “I mean, it won’t take me long. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. When I get back maybe I can show you a few more of my…hidden talents.”

Clearing my throat, I try to smile demurely. “I think that can be arranged.” I take a sip of orange juice.

“Then it’s a date.” Raine turns my chair around and kisses me long and hard. A kiss that melts me like a pudding pop dropped on a sizzling summer sidewalk.

I squeeze my eyes shut and remind myself not to get used to this. In a few days I’ll be back in Cleveland for a visit. Less than a month from now my fling with Raine will be nothing more than a pleasant memory.

So why am I missing him from the moment the door clicks shut?

<=====END OF EXCERPT=====>

Hmm…seems like things are going to be a bit more complicated than Mel had hoped. Next time we’ll see what happens after she returns from her quick trip home, where she reunites with her family and best friend/sister, Jamie Charles, of Love Me Not. But now it’s time to see what everyone else is offering this week. I’ll see you at the next stop.

Happy teasing!

This Delicious Feeling of Complete and Utter Ecstasy #MWTease

November 26, 2014 by ReeseRyan

It’s that time of the week when we get to take a peek behind the covers of currently available novels and novellas and works in progress of several, talented authors–the Mid Week Tease, hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Last week I shared an excerpt from my debut, Making the First Move. Melanie and Raine have had a business relationship and a casual friendship that has included a few “plus one” situations. However, once Raine discovered that Melanie would be relocating to Cleveland, he felt compelled to finally act on his feelings for her. Melanie knows nothing can come of this, but then again, she has nothing to lose. Or does she?

<=====Excerpt of Making the First Move=====>

The twenty or so steps to my bed seem like the longest walk I’ve ever taken. My nipples throb from his sucking and teasing, my heart is beating like a drum and there’s a steady, dull ache emanating from between my thighs. Every erogenous zone on my body is doing a celebration dance, like farmers welcoming the first drops of rain. My body is completely in line with my decision. My head feels the need to interfere.

Why are we doing this? I’m about to leave.

Did I make my bed?

I hope I wore matching underwear today.

What’s going to happen after this?

Maybe we shouldn’t…

We stop at the foot of the bed and look at it for an instant, then at each other.

I place my hands on his chest and lean into him, forcing my eyes to meet his. It’s exceedingly difficult to divert my gaze from his body. The man is sex poured into a glass on ice with a twist of lemon. And I want him.

God, do I want him.

“Is this one of those moments we’re going to seriously regret in the morning?” My voice comes out shaky and for the first time since we started this I’m very conscious of the fact that we’re both half-naked.

He kisses my palm, then my fingertips. “I could never regret this,” he says. “What about you?”

“No,” I say. “No regrets.”

I lean into him and press my mouth on his. He lifts me slightly, puts one knee on the bed and then lowers his body on mine.

He brushes loose curls from my face. “You’re fucking gorgeous. You know that?” He kisses me again before I respond. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to say that? To tell you how much I need you? I should’ve told you a long time ago.”

“Yes, you should have. But perhaps you can make it up to me.” I flash him a naughty smile as I trace his deliciously full lips with my thumb.

The corner of his mouth lifts in a devilish grin. He presses his mouth against mine. His tongue dives in immediately. Mine invites it to a passionate dance. A rehearsal for the union I hope will soon take place.

But Raine has something else in mind.

He rolls off me and slides his hand down my stomach, which I try hard to hold in. He kisses my belly and slides his fingertips back and forth underneath the waistband of my jeans. A difficult task, since there’s very little room to spare. He unfastens the button and slowly unzips them.

Raine peels off the jeans that are practically a second skin and pushes them off onto the floor, an act I’m willing to overlook. He removes his jeans and tosses them next to mine.

He bites his lower lip as he studies me lying, trembling, on the bed in nothing but a pair of red satin panties.

I feel exposed in a way I never have before. Butterflies do a synchronized waltz inside my stomach. My chest rises and falls rapidly. I’m eager, but try not to show it. And a little uneasy, but I try not to show that either.

Raine has been my Taye Diggs. The hot guy you fantasize about but never delude yourself into thinking you can actually have. So while I’ll admit to the fantasy, the realization that he’s actually in my bed is a little unnerving.

He kisses my neck. My breasts. My stomach. Above my waistband, which he is now edging down, taking a peek. I lift my hips to help him remove my panties. I can feel the dampness against my skin as he slides them down my leg.

Raine plants soft, delicate kisses along my belly, pelvic bone and inner thigh. My body responds with a sharp inhalation to his warm lips pressing against my throbbing clit. I grip the bedding and writhe as he teases it with his tongue. I bite my lower lip and practically hold my breath in an attempt to muffle the sounds trying to escape as I’m overcome by a wave of intense pleasure.

It feels as if I’m about to implode from this delicious feeling of complete and utter ecstasy. Is that possible? Death by sex? Because it seems like a very real possibility.

Suddenly he stops. I’ve barely taken a breath before he dives his nimble tongue inside me and works its magic.

Oh…my…God.

I moan and thrust against him, wanting, needing more. He’s only too happy to oblige. He threads his arms through my legs then presses his fingers inside my thighs, splaying them further open and anchoring my bottom to the bed.

My soft whimpering escalates to match the increased speed of his tongue, dipping in and out of my slick core. My lips part and my chin lifts as I ride this intense wave of pleasure. My breath becomes quick and ragged as he sends me spiraling into an orgasm that is like a jolt of electricity delivered to every inch of my body.

<=====END OF EXCERPT=====>

Thus begins what Melanie expects to be a short fling between her and Raine. Then they’ll both go their separate ways and chalk this up to a missed opportunity. Only, things rarely work out exactly as we expect. Stay tuned.

Now, before we all go and stuff our faces with turkey and a yummy variety of carb-loaded sides, it’s time to see what tasty teases my fellow authors have in store. By the way, all teases this week are guaranteed to be carb-free.

Happy teasing!

Hot Carolina Nights Series Coming in 2015

November 22, 2014 by ReeseRyan

This morning I’ve been dancing around my kitchen with unbridled happiness, as if no-one is watching. Though my husband is, in fact, watching me and probably debating whether to call an ambulance. But I can barely contain the joy of finally making a decision about where my fiction-writing career is going next.

Thanks to a marathon session with a writing coach who helped me identify and move past some of the fears that were holding me back, I was able to settle on the series with which I’ll launch my venture into the world of indie publishing. And thanks to the amazing readers who took the time to share their opinions and ideas for a title, and said husband whose vote confirmed my final choice, my small town, contemporary romance series has a name: Hot Carolina Nights.

I’d already created titles for each of the books planned in the series. However, a serendipitous idea prompted me to spend yesterday morning renaming several of the books so that the story titles would all fit thematically with the series title. I also spent some time creating a relationship web to establish relationships between characters in each book and throughout the series.

So, yeah, I’m beyond happy. Thrilled, in fact. I hope you, dear reader, will be just as happy with the final results.

On that note, I’ll leave you with a live performance “Blue Rondo à la Turk,,” a classic jazz piece by the amazing Dave Brubeck Quartet (one of the songs I was dancing to this morning). This piece shares that same feeling of unrestrained joy (and unusual timing) that was on display in my kitchen this morning.

Enjoy your weekend!

Wild Horse photo courtesy of Adnan Islam.

The Relationship Equivalent of a Mirage #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

November 19, 2014 by ReeseRyan

It’s time for the Mid Week Tease, hosted by Sandra Bunino. This week I’m shifting gears and sharing a scene from my debut novel, Making the First Move. Melanie Gordon received a promotion earlier today that will send her back to her hometown of Cleveland (and mine). A move she isn’t emotionally prepared for. She goes out to celebrate with Raine Mason, a casual friend with whom she has an standing “plus one” arrangement. However, when Raine learns that she’s relocating, he confesses that he wants more than just friendship. The two were interrupted at dinner, before they could discuss the situation further, and Melanie is now back at her apartment…alone.

<=====Excerpt of Making the First Move=====>

A knock at the door disturbs my thoughts. For a moment I think I dreamed it. A series of short, rapid knocks assures me the sound is real. We have to buzz guests into our building, so it’s probably Debbie or Dawn. Still, as my mother often reminds me, a single girl living alone can never be too careful. I pick up a slender metal vase. Not because I’m afraid. Because I can’t bear the thought of hearing “I told you so” throughout infinity.

I creep quietly to the door, just in case it is some psycho who’s come here to club me to death. I hold my breath and peek through the peephole.

Oh, shit! It isn’t Debbie or Dawn.

Stepping quickly but quietly to face the mirror hanging next to my front door, I run my fingers through my hair. Going for a look of calculated disorder, I give my head a good shake. Not a good idea after three mojitos.

There’s another round of knocks, this time more urgent. I take a deep breath, unlock the door then slowly turn the knob.

Raine stands there, his hand against the door frame, a perturbed look on his face.

“Hey,” I say nonchalantly, “did we forget something?”

He doesn’t respond. Instead he searches my face as if he expects to find the answer to a question he has yet to ask. It’s only a few seconds, but it feels like an eternity.

I open my mouth to speak. Before a single word can escape he steps forward and presses his warm palms on either side of my face. His warm breath smells of cinnamon. His intense gaze locks with mine. The throbbing pulse that emanates from his thumbs reverberates against my cheekbones.

He leans in closer. My breath quickens and I’m keenly aware of the rise and fall of my chest. Body trembling, I close my eyes and lean in, ever so slightly.

He presses his lips, firm and soft, against mine. I take a deep breath, my lips part slightly. He readily accepts the invitation. His tongue slips inside and glides against mine.

I can barely breathe. His kiss is greedy, intense. It sends a chill down my spine yet sets every nerve in my body ablaze with a consuming fire. I’m overwhelmed by the sensation of heat, the increased sensitivity of my skin and the pulsing ache between my thighs. I break free to catch my breath.

“Lock the door.” My words come out ragged, breathy.

He releases me and locks the door. When he turns around I tug on his sweater, pulling him farther inside my apartment, until I’m backed against the wall.

He smiles then leans in to kiss me again. His lips press firmly on mine. His tongue darts in and out of my mouth as he grinds his hips into me, pinning me to the wall. I can feel his growing erection hard against my inner thigh.

There’s an insatiable hunger in our kisses. The kind that comes from an intense craving for something you want so badly, but don’t believe you can ever really have. Each kiss pulls me in deeper, makes me want him more.

This may be the relationship equivalent of a mirage, but it looks, tastes and feels damned good, and I’m going for it. And I’m going to enjoy every goddamned second of it. Starting now.

I slide my hands underneath his shirt. They glide slowly up the muscular ridges of his abs. My thumbs gently graze his nipples. He sucks in a deep breath in response. I grab hold of the edge of his sweater and shirt and inch them over his head. He pulls them off the rest of the way and tosses them on the floor.

Raine has been hiding more than just washboard abs under that sweater. A tattoo of a large sword with a vine wrapped around it and a vibrant red rose on its elaborate hilt decorates his right arm. A tribal tattoo rings his left bicep. I press my fingertips against the tattoo on the left side of his chest. It’s a bloody heart, pierced by a dagger with a skull handle. There’s a ribbon across it that says Forever. The word is barely visible.

Discovering a darker side to Raine, whose demeanor is more choir boy than badass, is unnerving, yet intriguing. What other secrets lie beneath his cool, calm surface?

My gaze meets his penetrating stare, like a panther sizing up his prey. It unravels me. My knees tremble in response and any concerns about what I’m getting myself into quickly shift to the back of my mind. My only concern, at this moment, is the feel of his hands on my skin.

I lift my blouse over my head and toss it onto a chair. Pulse racing, I guide his hands to the front closure of my red satin bra.

He unhooks it in a single motion and trails kisses down my neck and shoulder as he slides the straps down my arms. The gust of cool air against my hypersensitive nipples only heightens my arousal. He palms my breasts as he continues raining kisses down my body toward nipples already taut, begging for attention.

He swirls his firm tongue around my nipple a few times before flicking it across the sensitive flesh. I let out a long sigh in response.

Moaning softly, I grind my hips against him and twist his hair around my trembling fingers. The space between my thighs grows warmer and wetter. I’m floating in a feeling that is intoxicating and torturous all at the same time. But as good as this feels, I’m ready for more.

I press my hands into his chest, creating a sliver of space between us. Then I grab his hand and lead him to my bedroom.

<=====END OF EXCERPT=====>

What happens on the other side of that door? I hope you’ll come back next week to find out. In the meantime, check out the tasty teases that this week’s authors have in store.

Smooches!

Name My Next Contemporary Romance Series #Giveaway

November 18, 2014 by ReeseRyan

Today I’m over on Hot M.A.M.A. Land celebrating our Hot Holiday #Giveaway Days. During each one of our posts, between now and December 19th, commenters will be entered in that day’s giveaway and into the two grand prize giveaways of a $50 gift card and a handbag.

In today’s post, I’m asking readers for help naming a new contemporary romance series I’m writing that will be set in a small, but growing, town in North Carolina. Hop over to my post on Hot M.A.M.A. Land and tell me in the comments which of the possible series names you prefer (or share your idea). Then you’ll be entered in today’s giveaway and the grand prize giveaway. If I choose your series name, I’m offering an additional bonus that will make you one of the first to read the first book in the series.

Good luck!

Hot M.A.M.A. Holiday #Giveaway Days Kickoff Party

November 14, 2014 by ReeseRyan

You’re invited to help the authors of Hot M.A.M.A. Land kick off our Hot Holiday Giveaway Days with a party on Facebook tonight starting at 7:30 PM Eastern.

The fun begins tonight and opportunities to win extend through December 19th. So don’t miss your chance to win holiday romances, a $50 gift card and one of two handbags during our holiday giveaway days.

The authors of Hot Multicultural Authors of the Mid Atlantic (M.A.M.A.) include:

Kianna Alexander
Iris Bolling
Angie Daniels
Yvette Hines
Cheris Hodges
Denise Jeffries
Bridget Midway
Reese Ryan
Loretta Walls
Altonya Washington

Hope to see you there!

Love in the Tub (and other dangerous sports) #MWTease

November 12, 2014 by ReeseRyan

It’s time for the Mid Week Tease, hosted by Sandra Bunino, where we get to sample excerpts from a variety of authors. Each week we look forward to the opportunity to share our work with you. But, let’s face it…authors are also voracious readers. So we’re just as eager to sample the yummy wares of our fellow authors.

Miles is in deep and Jamie’s feelings for him have been steadily growing. It’s been quite a journey since they first made love and her feelings for him scared her to death. After breaking her ‘no overnight stays’ rule for Miles, she’s become a staple at his place each weekend. When an old friend, who also has feelings for her, raises doubts about their relationship, it prompts Jamie to question why they never spend the night at her humble attic apartment. This is his first weekend staying at her place and Jamie finds a way to make it as memorable for Miles as he made her first overnight stay at his place.

<===Love Me Not Excerpt===>

“Mind if I take a shower?” Miles unzipped his bag, balanced on a trunk at the foot of her bed.

She’d already climbed into bed. “Just let me know if you need anything.”

He ducked into the bathroom and undressed, surveying the long, narrow clawfoot tub made of solid cast iron, painted black on the outside. He smiled. Of course. She wouldn’t have gone for a traditional color like white.

Miles yanked his sweater over his head and tossed it on top of the hamper. He slipped out of the rest of his clothing, turned on the water and stepped into the shower. While he was lathering himself the curtain was suddenly yanked back. He jumped.

Jamie laughed. “Who’d you think it was? Norman Bates?” She pulled her T-shirt and bra over her head, wriggled out of her shorts and stepped into the shower.

“I thought you were sleepy.” He smiled.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his back. “Suddenly I’m not so sleepy anymore.”

Their attempt to make love in a slippery clawfoot tub that was narrow and too far from any usable wall was comical at best. Sex was not only impossible, but dangerous. Still, she found another way to make their first shower together at her place memorable.

Jamie dropped to her knees in the tub, her hands gripping the base of his cock as she traced the tip with her tongue. He let out a little moan and braced his feet against the sides of the tub. He’d nearly fallen twice already; he didn’t want a concussion to interrupt what she was doing now.

She ran her tongue along the ridge underneath, and he murmured something even he couldn’t understand. When she took the tip into her warm mouth it sent a jolt of electricity up his spine. She swirled her tongue around the head of his shaft, as her hands slid up and down his growing length.

When she opened her mouth and took him in deeper, he let out a strangled moan. He tangled his fingers in her hair, careful not to force her head toward him, despite every muscle in his body screaming for him to do just that.

She was a fucking master at this. His body trembled, pleasure building, as she sucked him, her hand moving over the tight skin of his scrotum. Near his pinnacle, he tried to pull away, but her eyes met his and a wicked grin crinkled the corners of her eyes as she gripped his ass, pulling him in deeper.

He cursed, body trembling, cock convulsing, her eyes never leaving his.

He turned off the water and stepped out of the tub, lifting her in his arms and carrying her to the bed, both of their bodies soaking wet. He was desperate to be inside her, but first, he’d return the favor.

Laying her on the bed, he spread her legs. She’d been as turned on by her performance as he had. The lips of her sex were swollen with desire, her opening slick with her want. His dick twitched as he dove his tongue in, desperate for a taste of her.

“Mmm…” A low, purring sound vibrated through her chest as she dug her heels into the mattress.

He slid his tongue in deeper, savoring her addictive taste—both salty and sweet. Slipping two fingers inside her, he watched the intense satisfaction reflected on her gorgeous face as she gripped the bedding, her legs trembling. She was almost there. He swirled his tongue across her hardened clit as she writhed in ecstasy, bucking her hips toward him.

He licked and fingered her, increasing his speed in response to her commands to “Go faster” or “More, there, right there.” Her walls clenched, gripping his fingers, her body shivering. He smiled with satisfaction. She was sprawled across the bed, hair everywhere, skin dewy, completely spent. She forced her knees together, rolling back and forth slightly as she gasped for breath.

He laid kisses along her shoulder, then cradled her body against his, pulling the cover over them. “Not a bad way to kick things off at your place.”

She opened her eyes and touched his cheek, gazing at him for a moment. “There is one more thing I’d like you to do.” Her voice was quiet, their faces barely an inch apart as she spoke.

“Anything. Just name it.”

She licked her lips and took a deep breath, her hand still on his cheek. “Make love to me.”

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

While Jamie’s relationship struggles aren’t over, I’ve gotta say, “You’ve come a long way, baby!” Knowing about the awful events of her past, which the reappearance of her birth mother is forcing her to deal with, only makes me want to see this girl get her happy ending that much more. Read Miles and Jamie’s story in its entirety here.

Now, let’s discover what goodies the other teasing authors this week have in store.

Happy teasing!

Clawfoot tub photo courtesy of ahhfred. Some rights reserved.

You’ve got good taste in cheese #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

November 5, 2014 by ReeseRyan

Right about now you’re probably crashing from the sugar high you got after raiding the kiddies’ Trick or Treat stash (or maybe from ingesting the clearance candy, or is that just me?). No worries, we’ve got something that will perk you back up, calorie-free. It’s time for the Mid Week Tease, hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Last week Jamie and Miles finally made love. While Miles is down in the kitchen, dreamily preparing a late night snack, the reality of Jamie’s growing feelings for Miles has caused ugly memories from her past to resurface, reminding her of how dangerous it can be to let someone too close. Miles is eager to wake up with Jamie in his bed. She, on the other hand, feels the need for some space and has offered to take a cab home.

<===Love Me Not Excerpt===>

“I’m not going to let you take a cab home.” He tried to prevent his disappointment and frustration from seeping into his voice but was doing a terrible job. “If you want to leave now, of course I’ll take you. But first, answer one question for me honestly.”

He could feel her back tense under his fingers, but she nodded. “Sure. What is it?”

“That last time we…well, it was incredible, and I felt like we really…I don’t know, connected. I know you felt it, too, because you’ve sort of been pulling away ever since then. So is this really about your overnight rule, or are you just trying to put some space between us?”

Her eyes widened and met his for a moment. She looked away quickly and pressed her flattened palms into his chest, pushing away from him. “I just need to go home, okay?” She folded her arms and turned her back to him. “Don’t try to make this about something else.”

He gently placed his hand on her shoulder. Her muscles were tense beneath his fingers. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Then that’s all it is. I’ll go and get dressed.”

She nodded, exhaling. “Thank you.”

“You must be hungry though. I’m starving. What if we have a bite to eat first?”

She took a seat on one of the bar stools and plucked a red grape and a square of cheese from the tray he’d been making. “I am kind of hungry. Hey, is that Gruyere? I love Gruyere.” She popped the cheese and fruit in her mouth and chewed. “Mmm…good.”

Miles smiled. Mmm…good. He’d been thinking the same thing when he’d had his first taste of her. He resumed slicing cheese, unable to avert his gaze from her as she opened her mouth and took a bite of one of the immense strawberries, followed by a piece of Havarti.

Did she have any idea how tantalizing she looked right now? He should be completely sated after the marathon lovemaking session they’d had in the previous hours, but he had a desperate need to take her again, right here on the counter. He groaned inwardly. He’d promised her that he’d take her home after they ate, and he would. But he didn’t have to like it.

He sliced another piece of Gruyere and extended it to her. The wily twinkle in her lovely green eyes made his heart skip a beat. She leaned forward and took the morsel from his fingers, nicking them a little with her teeth.

She walked around the island and wrapped her arms around his waist as she brushed her lips along the skin of his back, leaving nerves tingling in the wake of kisses that felt like zings of electricity. “You’ve got good taste in cheese. I like that in a man.”

Miles turned to face her, pulling her into him, his length pressed against her belly.

She was enjoying this. Seemed to revel in the power she had over his anatomy. A tight smile curled one corner of her mouth, and he had to delve his tongue between those luscious lips that teased him, daring him to have a taste.

“I should’ve known you only wanted me for my cheese.” He gently bit her earlobe.

She giggled. “And I thought I’d been so clever about it.”

His hand trailed down the braid, tugging her head back gently so her eyes met his. “You’re clever, alright, and extremely dangerous.”

“Clever and dangerous. Sounds like you’re outmatched.”

He released her braid and trailed kisses down her neck. “True, but I’m a pretty determined guy, so I won’t give up. Not until I convince you that I’m crazy about you. And that as much as I love that incredible body of yours…what I really want is all of you.”

She sank her teeth into her bottom lip and drew in a deep breath, her eyes meeting his for a moment then lowering to his chest, where she trailed her fingers through his hair. “Really?”

He lifted her chin, peering deep into those wickedly mysterious green eyes. “Really.”

Her hands were trembling, the bravado he’d seen a moment ago gone. He’d venture that there weren’t many things that scared Jamie Charles. But he could see the fear in her eyes so clearly. She hadn’t just avoided true intimacy, she was terrified of it. All of her rules and the tough-girl image were a ring of fire she’d surrounded herself with to keep everyone out. Only she didn’t realize that it imprisoned her as much as it protected her.

“Why is it so important to you that I stay?” Her lips were pressed into a slight grimace as she searched his face.

“Because you are an amazing woman, and I don’t want to miss a second with you,” he said, his palm pressed to her cheek. “Seeing this gorgeous face, hearing your infectious laugh…I can’t think of a more perfect way to start my day.”

Her gaze softened. A mischievous smirk replaced the wary look there a moment ago. “I’ll stay,” she said, barely able to keep a straight face, “but only because you have fancy cheese and premium cable.”

He laughed, taking her in his arms. Whatever her reason, if Jamie was breaking her sleepover rule for him, he’d make damn sure it was worth it.

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

Jamie may be clever and dangerous, but Miles is pretty damned perceptive. He’s able to read between the lines and he can hear the things Jamie isn’t saying. Most importantly, he cares for her enough to fight his way through the “ring of fire” she actively maintains around her heart to protect it from further damage. He will eventually discover just how deep those wounds go. But for now, they are both content.

Now, it’s time for more goodies–delicious and calorie-free. Visit the authors on the list below to see what yummy treats they have in store for you.

Photo courtesy of Didriks. Some rights reserved.

The Lady Who Swings the Band: Mary Lou Williams

October 31, 2014 by ReeseRyan

As I’ve been studying the development of jazz, and the lives of many of its luminaries, a few things are apparent:

Most of the jazz artists whose names we recognize still, decades later, are male. Period.
Though jazz stems from black folk music, its many revolutions were often accepted only when introduced to mainstream listeners by white artists.
A large number of jazz musicians had brilliant careers cut short by drug and alcohol use or some other tragic event, like car accidents or illness (Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Chick Webb, Clifford Brown, Charlie Christian, Fats Waller, Chu Berry, Jimmy Blanton, Bix Beiderbecke and Glenn Miller, to name a few).

Yet, despite all of this, Mary Lou Williams, a brilliant pianist and arranger who started off playing with a territory band led by tuba player Andy Kirk, called the Twelve Clouds of Joy emerged as a shining star. Her incredible talent as both a pianist and an arranger, along with her perfect pitch and remarkable memory, quickly caught the attention of big names in jazz, like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. And unlike many of her contemporaries in jazz, Williams had a long, productive career.

Yet, before I began studying this course I’d never heard of her.

That, in itself, is a tragedy.

Once I discovered Mary Lou Williams, I wanted to learn as much as I could about this great lady of jazz. That led me to stumble across her biography and the efforts of filmmaker Carol Bash to create a documentary about Williams’ life, entitled Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band.

Below is a sample of Williams on piano. You can listen to her music on Spotify, using the link below.

Which artists, male or female, who haven’t received the recognition they deserved, would you recommend?

Mary Lou Williams, New York, N.Y., ca. 1946 courtesy of Ky. Some rights reserved.

He was addicted to this girl #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

October 29, 2014 by ReeseRyan

Welcome to the Mid Week Halloween Tease!

You’ve been especially good this week, so you deserve a reward. No tricks. Just treats. (If you’ve been naughty, rest assured, one or more of the authors on the list below has a character who is fully prepared to dish out a delicious punishment for you. So you’re in the right place, too.) Here are some mid week goodies that won’t rot your teeth or go directly to your hips, thanks to Sandra Bunino, host of the Mid Week Tease. Last week, Miles and Jamie finally took their relationship behind closed doors with a bit of foreplay. But now Miles is ready to show her exactly how much she means to him.

<===Love Me Not Excerpt===>

Miles gathered her in his arms and they tumbled back on the bed. He crushed his mouth to hers, devouring it with hot, hungry kisses. Gripping his shaft—stretched tight and aching with his need for her—his eyes locked with hers. Body trembling, he shifted his hips forward, slowly entering her. Her soft gasp and the sensation of being surrounded by her wet heat sent his pulse racing. A low rumble vibrated in his chest and his muscles tensed. Her body opened to him, allowing him to penetrate deeper.

She whimpered and gripped the bedding, her eyes wild. Something in her gaze stoked the fire low in his belly, need spiraling through every inch of his body. A shiver ran the length of his spine. He swallowed hard then licked his lips. His biceps bulged as he supported his weight above her and stroked slowly, methodically, bringing her closer.

She felt so fucking good. The erotic dreams he’d succumbed to—imagining what it would feel like to finally be inside her—paled in comparison to the reality. He could get used to having Jamie Charles in his bed. Ravaging her voluptuous body. The woman was as addictive as cocaine and probably twice as dangerous. Still, he couldn’t resist her and had no desire to.

Her walls tightened around his shaft. An intense wave of pleasure snaked its way up through his body, bringing him close to the edge. Her eyes lit up and the corner of her mouth curled. Her fingers digging into his back, she pulled him in deeper. She enjoyed the control she had over him. But he wasn’t done yet. Not until he’d completely satisfied her, until she was begging him to stop. He sucked in a deep breath and focused, despite his trembling limbs and the thumping of his heartbeat.

Without breaking the rhythm of his thrust, he reached his fingers down between them and found the slick bud. She shivered, sputtering something unintelligible as he accelerated the speed and pressure of his stroke.

Now they were both grunting, muttering and exclaiming expletives with the sweetest pleasure. Her entire body shuddered and her walls spasmed, clenching around him. She grabbed his hand, an unspoken plea for mercy. He could finally let go. A few more strokes was all it took. He came hard, with an intensity that rocked his entire body.

Miles collapsed on the bed next to her, kissing the side of her face, their bodies beaded with sweat. It was official. He was addicted to this girl, and he had no plans of letting her go.

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

Miles is falling hard for Jamie. Despite her resistance, Jamie is falling for him, too. But with all of the baggage in her past, there’s no way she’ll go easily.

As you can see, I don’t do scary, but a several of the authors on the list today do. So, get your goody bags and your naughtiest costume. It’s time to make the rounds to see what the other Teasers are offering.

Smooches!