Mid Week Tease

No More Waiting #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

October 8, 2014 by ReeseRyan

It’s time for the Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino. Each week a diverse selection of authors share excerpts from either a work-in-progress or a published work. For the past few weeks I’ve been sharing excerpts from my most recent release, Love Me Not, the story of a brilliant, but damaged, artist with a painful past who wants nothing to do with love, and the man who is determined to have her heart.

Last week, Jamie finally agreed to go out with Miles and to see where things went. Miles, aware of Jamie’s inclination to keep her “relationships” strictly physical, has been working a plan to make her want much more than that. Jamie has been content in their growing relationship, a feeling that is foreign to her. However, when an older couple in a grocery store parking lot remarks that Jamie and Miles look just as in love as they were as young lovers, Jamie panics.

<===LOVE ME NOT EXCERPT===>

Jamie had always lived life on her terms, and that meant no long-term relationships. She’d witnessed what happened in those relationships. Maybe it took five months, or five years, but eventually someone got hurt. She’d had enough pain to last a lifetime. That was why she’d avoided getting her heart tangled up in something that could only go sideways. But one pair of hypnotic blue eyes and a devilish grin, and she’d forgotten about the need to protect her heart, no matter what. If she didn’t, who would?

Four lunch dates, six official dates, and she and Miles still hadn’t slept together. Instead she’d slipped into this ridiculous romance, like a lovesick schoolgirl. No wonder Mel got her heart broken so much. She spent so much time building up the relationship in her head before they’d sealed the deal. They were being absurd. She’d wanted to fuck Miles Copeland since the day he’d walked through the door of Tahlia’s. She’d restrained herself then because of Tahlia’s rule, and the fact that she needed her job. But they were both consenting adults. Not sleeping with him now was just plain stupid. More importantly, she’d given him the upper hand in the relationship.

She’d watched her mother surrender complete control of her mind, body and soul to the men who floated in and out of her life. They’d treated her like shit because she’d needed them. They were the ticket to her next drug score, her next bottle or paying the rent.
Jamie didn’t need any man, not even her father. She’d done fine without him. She wasn’t about to let Miles upset the careful balance she’d established. It was the only thing keeping her sane.

“Is everything okay?” Miles approached the car. “The door is unlocked so—”

Jamie rushed to him, grabbing his shirt in her hands and pulling his face toward hers. She pressed her lips against his, kissing him with an intense desperation. He was surprised at first but quickly acquiesced, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her body into his. A wicked grin tugged at the corner of her mouth as she felt his body responding to her, his desire pressed against her belly. She was in control. And there was no doubt he wanted this as much as she did. No more waiting. She tore her mouth from his just long enough to whisper, “We need to get back to your place. Now.”

He took his keys out and pressed them in her palm. “You drive.”

***

They were barely inside Miles’s condo before Jamie straddled him on the nice new couch he was pointing out to her. She ground her hips against him. He knew she could feel his cock against the inside of her thigh.

He’d been in a near state of arousal all afternoon, courtesy of the tiny jean skirt and body-hugging women’s Browns football jersey she was wearing. It was all he could do not to slide his hand underneath her skirt on the ride there. But now, with her pawing at him like a hungry lioness and giving him the best damn lap dance of his life, he was in danger of completely losing control.

He’d always imagined Jamie to be a wildcat in the sack, but right now she was being pretty aggressive. A woman who knew exactly what she wanted and who wasn’t afraid to please a man was alluring, but this was more than the heat of passion. She had a driving need to be in control, to make this completely about the sex. A few weeks ago he’d have been all for that, but his feelings had changed.

“Jamie.” He broke their kiss and grabbed her arms, pinning them at her sides. His eyes scanned hers. “Is everything okay?”

Eyes wide, she sank her teeth into her lower lip then dropped her gaze. When her eyes met his again her brows were furrowed. Breathing still ragged, her chest hitched as she choked out a response. “I’m fine. This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Of course I want to be with you, but not just physically. I really like you.” He pressed his lips into a slow smile. “I’ve looked forward to this a long time, so if you don’t mind, I’d like to drive this time.”

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

Miles may have put the brakes on Jamie’s aggressive need for control, but this train has already left the station for its destination. Next stop? Miles’s bedroom. Stay tuned for the next Love Me Not excerpt when Jamie and Miles turn up the heat. Now, it’s time to explore the goodies this week’s list of authors have in store. Happy teasing!

Losing Control #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

October 1, 2014 by ReeseRyan

Welcome to the Mid Week Tease, hosted by the phenomenal Sandra Bunino! You’ve not only made it through half of the work week, but we are officially entering the fourth quarter. Fall is here and the year is winding down. Where on earth did 2014 go? For me, this is a time to pull out my list of goals for 2014 to see how I’m doing. I’ll be peeking through my fingers with one eye closed. How about you?

Speaking of goals, Miles has a pretty firm one in mind. Last time, Jamie agreed to accept his challenge, and see where this goes. However, she’s been pretty clear about being a no-relationships kind of girl. Miles is determined to make this about much more. Even if it means denying himself the one thing he craves most.

<===LOVE ME NOT EXCERPT===>

Miles leaned down and planted delicate kisses on her face that made her belly flutter. She hadn’t expected that. She’d expected him to go full-in greedy and attack the mouth that ached to taste his again. The kisses Miles trailed down the side of her face at once stoked the warmth in her belly and the damp heat at her core. Desiring him made perfect sense. He was gorgeous, sweet, funny. The trembling that slowly spread through her body and the inability to catch her breath in response to innocent kisses was completely foreign. She wasn’t in control of herself anymore. He was. But she knew how to regain control.

She pressed the heel of her shaky hand into his chest and inhaled a deep breath, like she’d emerged from beneath water. Raising her eyes to his, she saw the desire in them. He wanted to put his hands on her bare skin, to plunge his length inside her, just as much as she wanted it. “I’d love to continue this,” she whispered in his ear. “But it’s freezing out here.”

Honestly, her body was filled with such intense heat she could probably power a small vehicle. She wanted to feel him inside her so badly that she’d let him fuck her right here in the backseat if he wanted to. But with his hotel room mere steps away, that seemed crass, even for her.

He swallowed, nodding glumly. “You’re right. Why don’t we…save this for another night. It’s late. You’re tired.”

She wondered if her face mirrored the rejection she felt there in the dark, the light of the streetlamp barely missing them. “I am,” she said, trying to keep her voice from wavering. “It’s been a long week.”

He nodded again, but she could see the disappointment there. He’d been looking for confirmation that she wanted to go back to his place, probably afraid he’d come off sleazy if he’d suggested it. Now it was too late to change her story without seeming as desperate for him as she felt.

“I’ll call you tomorrow, after you’ve had a chance to get some sleep. I’d like to take you to lunch.” He rested his fingertips lightly on her shoulder, then leaned in and placed his mouth on hers, his length pressing against her belly and increasing the warmth between her thighs. Finally he tore his mouth from her throbbing, barely satiated lips and placed one last kiss on her forehead. “Good night, beautiful.”

Miles tugged firmly on the door handle and ushered her inside the truck. He stood there patiently as she pulled out of the parking lot.

Jamie was stunned. Wasn’t this the point of the whole chase—to get her in bed? Here she was willing—God, was she willing—and he’d suggested they call it a night, given her a kiss on the forehead and sent her away? But then why hadn’t she told him the truth? That she wanted him to take her back to his hotel room?

He’d obviously wanted her as much as she wanted him. She sighed, remembering the feel of him, pressed hard against her belly. So why was he still standing there under the streetlight while she was driving away, limbs shaking, heart pounding, her desire for him blazing like a four-alarm fire?

Miles stood there, frozen in his spot, for a full minute after she’d gone, dick hard, pulse racing. He’d wanted to take her back to his bed and be properly introduced to every one of the tattoos he’d glimpsed as she moved about the bar. Each one taunted him—drove him practically insane—as he imagined his fingers tracing the edges he couldn’t see. He needed a drink. Something stiff as he was now, his khakis uncomfortably tented. Pulling his coat around him, he trudged across the street.

Back in his room he pulled out a bottle of brandy and poured himself a liberal glass. The liquid sloshed a little as he raised the glass to his mouth and gulped. Jamie Charles was trouble with a capital T and a minimum of three exclamation points. Every fiber of his being knew it. So why was she all he could think of? He glanced across his darkened hotel suite at the empty king-size bed. If he wanted her so desperately, why wasn’t she here in his bed so he could explore every inch of her delicate skin?

In the beginning there was nothing he desired more than the satisfaction of touching her, of tasting her. He’d dreamed of how it would feel to sink his fingers into the round curves of that incredible ass, body trembling, as he came deep inside her. But that was before he’d gotten to know her. She was beautiful, complex, smart and sweet—though she tried her hardest not to show it. Jamie was a fascinating, intricate puzzle he desperately needed to solve. And yet there was something about her that was comforting and familiar. Miles didn’t want her body for a night, or even a week. He yearned for a deeper connection with her. Wanted her to belong to him—mind, body and soul, the way he belonged to her. A proposition she’d made it quite clear held no interest for her. So despite the fact that he wanted her in his bed tonight, he knew he had to make her want more than that, or he’d lose her. And that wasn’t a chance he was willing to take.

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

I love a man with a plan and the discipline to see it through. However, Jamie can be pretty insistent, too, when it comes to getting what she wants. Stay tuned to find out who wins. In the meantime, let’s grab our party hats and those little bottles of liquor we’ve been holding onto for just the right occasion. Now let’s go teasing!

Fat Girl by @LeighCarron Excerpt #MWTease

September 24, 2014 by ReeseRyan

This week I’m excited to host my very first guest for the Mid Week Tease, hosted by Sandra Bunino. This week’s tease is brought to you by Leigh Carron who is treating us to an excerpt from Fat Girl, her debut novel, and the first book in her Perfectly Imperfect series. Before I give you the tease, here’s a summary:

Years after fleeing small-town Springvale, Illinois, Deeana Chase has picked up the pieces of her shattered heart and built a new life for herself as a child advocacy lawyer. Her food addiction is quasi under control, her secrets are buried, and she has even made a tenuous peace with her plus-size body. Until…

Micah Peters—the very sexy and now famous man she fled— walks through her office door and sends Dee reeling. His demand that she help a young boy caught in a custody battle will reunite her with the past she left behind. Torn between duty and self-preservation, Dee isn’t easy to convince.

But when obligation wins, the former lovers get more than they bargained for—a searing passion that burns hotter than ever and startling revelations about what really happened the fateful night she left.

Will the truth set Dee free to love again? Or will past hurts and lingering insecurities destine her to walk away from her heart again, this time for good?

Now for the tease where things get…hot…in Dee’s kitchen:

<===Fat Girl Excerpt by Leigh Carron===>

“Mick…”

My hand slides up her neck, testing the rapid beat of her pulse.

“Don’t,” Dee breathes, but the protest sounds as weak as my will to withstand her.

I lower my head and skim my lips along her bare shoulder. The fragrance of her soft, quivering skin seduces my senses.

“I’ve never gotten the smell of you out of my head…or the taste of you.”

Her breath hitches and I pull the sound deep into my mouth. I might regret my weakness later, but the silk of her lips, the sweet flavor I’ve never forgotten, spins my head, and trumps all rational thought or common sense.

I tug the band from her hair and grab two fistfuls of curls. And Dee’s right with me. No token resistance. No pretense. She gives back, just the way I need it. Hot and mindless. Going up on her toes, she winds her arms around my neck and molds her body to mine. Our tongues collide in a rush of longing. Tasting, tangling.

No woman has ever filled me so completely, to the exclusion of everything else. In that moment of frenzy, the past, my anger, and her transgressions are all white noise against the clamor of something louder and more powerful roaring in my blood.

I crush her back into the kitchen counter and muscle my thigh between her legs, leaving no doubt as to how badly I want her. Releasing my grip from the twist of curls I cup her unfettered breasts through the thin material and squeeze their ripe fullness. The nipples harden to bullets beneath my palms, and when I whisk my thumbs across the peaks, Dee’s breathy moans drive me full throttle.

I drag my mouth down her neck and chest, sliding my tongue across the points, dampening her shirt until the little chocolate morsels are visible through the cotton. Alternating between the two, I suck the tips into my mouth, hard enough to entice her to the edge, then lick them softly so that the next sharp pull is all the more acute.

“Oh, God,” she moans and turns away to grip the granite as if it’s too much.

But I’m not nearly done. I haven’t even begun to do all the things to Dee that I fantasized about on those lonely nights when the hurt had receded into the shadows and all I was left with were the bittersweet memories of touching her, and tasting her, of driving inside her hot, wet body.

Her back to me, I slip my hand beneath the elastic waist of her pajama bottoms and splay my palm across her feminine belly. Dee feels even better than I remembered in my dreams. There’s not a single straight line, just soft, luscious curves. The body she never seemed comfortable with I still find sensually opulent.

Her skin scorches me as I slide my hand lower. Without any panties to hinder me, my fingertips encounter silky, damp curls and plump, slick lips. Pure luxury. I press snugly between the globes of her juicy ass and, whispering her name, thrust two fingers into the creamiest heat a man could ever imagine.

“Mick!” Dee cries out and rolls her hips in a tantalizing rhythm against me.

Desire snapping like a whip, I nose her hair aside, exposing her neck, and greedily suck the fragrant flesh into my mouth. I sink my fingers deeper and faster, while circling her swollen clit with my thumb. I’m drowning in the feel of her, in the wispy breaths of her pleasure.

My need raw, I grate against her ear, “Come for me, Dee. Come all over me.”

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

Whew! Very hot, indeed. Looks like things are really heating up between Mick and Dee. To find out what happens next, get your copy of Fat Girl, available here.

Now, let’s keep the #MWTease party rolling. Grab yourself a cold drink and some appetizers, then visit the other teasers for more tasty treats.

Challenge Accepted #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

September 17, 2014 by ReeseRyan

It’s time for the Mid Week Tease, hosted by Sandra Bunino. Each week I look forward to sampling excerpts from fellow authors in a variety of genres. I can’t wait to see what everyone has in store this week. So, without further ado, let the teasing begin!

After Miles kissed Jamie, he discovered that the restaurant where she works has a hard, fast rule about employees not dating customers. Several weeks have passed and Miles hasn’t come into the restaurant. Despite trying to convince herself otherwise, Jamie’s friend Lisa discovered that Jamie has a serious case of Miles on the brain. This week, Miles returns with a challenge for Jamie, but is she willing to break her “no relationships” rule and put her heart at risk?

<===LOVE ME NOT EXCERPT===>

Miles slowly approached Jamie in the parking lot. Her coworker, Lisa, saw him first. He raised a finger to his lips. She nodded imperceptibly, hardly able to contain a grin.

“Jamie,” he said when he was just a few feet behind her.

She spun around, putting her hand to her chest. “Miles? My God, what is it with you and creeping up on people at three in the morning?”

“I needed to talk to you.” He took a step back, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

She said good night to Lisa then leaned against the door of her idling truck, arms folded tightly across her chest. Jamie angled her head, a frown tugging at the corner of those dark, pouty lips. Her intense stare demanded an explanation. “You know where I work. Why didn’t you just come to the bar?”

“Why?” The edge of Mile’s mouth turned up slightly as he inched closer. “Did you miss me?”

“I just noticed you weren’t there. That’s all,” she said. “After all, you were here at least three times a week for months, but then you kiss me and I don’t see you again for—”

“Six weeks.” His voice was softer and lower as he stepped closer to her. “And I haven’t been able to think about anything but that kiss since then.”

Head tilted slightly, her eyes studied his. “Really?”

He nodded, smiling. “Really.”

“That night, when I told you we couldn’t see each other…you disappeared without saying goodbye. So why are you back now? The rule hasn’t changed.”

“Our situation has.”

“What do you mean?” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I still work here and you’re still—”

“A customer? Not anymore. I haven’t been here for more than a month, and I won’t walk through those doors again. That means I’m no longer a customer. I’m just a man who is absolutely crazy about you. Crazy enough to sacrifice the best pork chops I’ve eaten in years.” His smile widened. “That’s gotta mean something, right?”

Lips pressed into a faint grimace, Jamie blinked twice and tugged at her ear lobe. “I’m flattered that you like me, and I’m obviously attracted to you, but I’m not the kind of girl you wanna get mixed up with. Trust me.”

“Why not? Because your life isn’t neat and perfect? No one’s is.”

“You have no idea who I really am. I know you think I’m nice or that you like me or whatever, but the girl you like is the barmaid who has to be nice to you because you’re a customer. Do you have any clue how many times I would’ve cussed you out if I hadn’t been working behind that bar?”

“Jamie—”

“I’m not a nice person, Miles. I’m a complete bitch. A guy like you? I’d chew you up and spit you out before you had the slightest idea what hit you. So do us both a favor. Just walk away. There’s nothing to see here. Nothing you’d want if you experienced the real me, up close and personal. So let’s save ourselves some aggravation, okay?” She turned and pulled on the door handle. It didn’t budge.

Miles placed his hand on her shoulder. “I know you’re scared, but I’m not going to hurt you. I care very much for you.” She trembled slightly but didn’t respond. Wouldn’t even turn around. “Say something. Please. Anything.”

She turned around, ripping his hand from her shoulder. “Men always promise that, but it’s not true. They all hurt you. And the truth is, I’m going to hurt you, too. Even if I don’t want to. Because that’s who I am. That’s the person I’ve always been. That’s the only person I’ll ever be. And I don’t want to hurt you. So trust me when I tell you, this isn’t what you want. I’m not who you want.”

He gripped her arms firmly. She looked away, but he lifted her chin with one hand. He needed to look in her eyes, needed her to believe every goddamn word he was about to say—because it was the absolute truth. “I’m not your father. I’m not like the guys your mom dated. I’m not any of the guys from your past. I’m the man you’ve gotten to know right there in that bar. The man who gets a kick out of making you laugh because it’s one of the most scintillating sounds I’ve ever heard. The man who sees how beautiful and brilliant you are. Who sees the person even you don’t see. You say I don’t know the real you, that I could never care about you the way I do if I did. Then prove it. Let me in. Open the door a crack, just enough for me to get a foot in.” He tried to put her at ease with a reassuring smile. “I won’t hurt you, Jamie. I promise.”

Her steely gaze softened and he could see tears welling in them. She bit her lip as tears slid down her cheeks. Miles pulled Jamie into him, wrapping his arms around her as she buried her face in his chest.

This wasn’t the way he’d envisioned their reunion, but it was exactly what she needed. He squeezed her against his body and kissed the top of her head, inhaling her scent—lemongrass maybe. Suddenly she sniffled and took a step backward as she wiped her face with the back of her hand.

“I’m sorry. I can’t believe I just blubbered all over you like that. God, I’m so embarrassed right now.”

“Don’t apologize,” he said. “I want you to be able to talk to me. About anything. That’s what friends are for, right?” He nudged her arm with his elbow.

“I guess.” She laughed then sniffled again. She took a step toward him, closing the gap between them again. “But if after that disgusting, snot-filled display you’re still interested, I accept your challenge.”

He looked down at her. Even with a tear-streaked face and reddened cheeks, she was still gorgeous in the moonlight.

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

Looks like Miles’ persistence is finally paying off. But the stakes in their little game have changed. For Miles, this isn’t just about sex, or even just having a little fun, anymore. He wants much more. In two weeks we’ll discover that he’ll do (or not do) whatever it takes to get Jamie on the same page.

Now, it’s time to sample the goodies all of our other teasers have in store. Just follow the links below:

You’re usually a much better liar #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

September 10, 2014 by ReeseRyan

Happy Hump Day! You’ve made it halfway through the work week. For that, my friend, you deserve a treat. In fact, we’ve got a full selection of them for you. It’s time for the Mid Week Tease, hosted by the lovely Sandra Bunino. It’s the perfect way to sample the literary fare offered by a diverse collection of authors who write in a variety of genres. This week, like most weeks of Mid Week Tease, is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. 😉

Last week, Miles finally had the opportunity to kiss Jamie and she kissed him back. Things quickly went off the rails from there. Immediately after their kiss, Miles learns two things: Jamie is indeed interested in him and her job has a strict rule against employees dating customers. Since then, Jamie has tried to forget Miles and that kiss. But today, while hanging out with Lisa, a friend who also works at the bar, and her adorable little mutt, Archie, she’s forced to admit that forgetting Miles isn’t quite that easy.

<===LOVE ME NOT EXCERPT===>

Settling back on the couch, she waited for Lisa to return, trying to resist the vivid memories of the kiss she and Miles shared that night. He hadn’t returned to the bar since then. She told herself she didn’t care. He’d only been a distraction—at work and in her head. A distraction she didn’t need. She should be glad he’d finally gotten the point. Now things could go back to the way they were before he’d waltzed into the bar with his brilliant blue eyes that crinkled at the corners. And that damn smirk that crumbled her resolve, tugged at her heart and instantly made her laugh, no matter how hard she tried to resist.

They were all wrong for each other. He was raised in a fucking mansion. She’d subsisted in a trailer. He was born to a New York City socialite and a high-powered lobbyist. She was born to a couple of alcoholics who had abandoned her first chance they got. He was highly educated. She’d graduated from the school of hard knocks. They would’ve been an absolute disaster together.

“Jamie, get in here!” Lisa called to her. “I’m in your studio.”

What was her nosy ass doing in there? She’d shown her studio to Lisa before, but this time she purposely closed the door because she didn’t want Lisa to know…

“I thought you said you didn’t care that Miles had stopped coming to Tahlia’s.” Lisa stood in front of the incriminating painting of Miles she’d completed from her original sketch in the weeks since Miles had stopped coming to the bar. “Then what is this about?”

Jamie contemplated denial. She could say Miles was simply the inspiration, that it wasn’t actually him. But that sounded lame—even in her head, where she was the only person who needed convincing. “Like you said, he’s eye candy. I figured I’d be able to sell this to some rich, lonely widow. It’s no big deal.”

Lisa raised an eyebrow and jabbed a finger in Jamie’s direction. “You’re usually a much better liar. You’ve got it for this guy even worse than I suspected.”

“I’m not lying—”

“You’re not telling the truth either. What really happened between you? Why’d he stop coming into the bar?”

Jamie sighed. She hadn’t told Lisa. She hadn’t told anyone. “He…kissed me.”

“Did you kiss him back?” A smile spread across Lisa’s face that narrowed her almond-shaped eyes.

“At first…but then I realized it was a mistake and I stopped him. I finally told him about the no-dating rule. He apologized and said he understood. But then…”

“But then he stopped coming into the bar. What a jerk. Typical guy, though. If he can’t hit that, why bother, right? Then again, I’d have done the same thing if I were in his shoes.” She sighed.

“It’s fine. I don’t care. He wasn’t my type anyway.”

“What, tall, dark, handsome and loaded? That’s not your type? Well, I’ll tell you what, sister, anytime you hook a fish like that again you just toss him my way because that’s exactly my type.” Lisa shoved her arm.

Jamie laughed. “And I thought breathing was your type. It’s good to know you have standards.”

“Ha! This from the woman who specializes in men you can’t take home to momma.” Lisa shifted her weight, one hand planted on her generous hips, the other pointed at her friend. “You should talk.”

“Okay, so we both have awful taste in men. Neither of us should be allowed to reproduce.” Jamie grinned.

“Amen to that!” Lisa was laughing so hard she could barely catch her breath.

They returned to the couch and Jamie was about to hit play. Archie, who’d finished his contraband, was snuggled against the couch under Lisa’s feet.

“All joking aside,” Lisa said, “it’s obvious you were really into the guy. I don’t blame you. Sure, he was gorgeous, but he also seemed really sweet. I’m sorry things didn’t work out. It would’ve been nice to finally see you with someone who has long-term potential.”

“It’s okay.” Jamie drew her legs onto the couch and wrapped her arms around them. “Believe me, we’re both better off this way.”

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

Hmm…I think she almost believes that. But will she be able to hold onto that belief when she comes face-to-face with Miles again? Will she even want to? Next week we’ll find out. In the meantime, it’s time to reach into that heart-shaped box of delicious chocolates and sample another. Pick any yummy selection from the list below and you’re on the way to another sweet treat.

Photo courtesy of Andrea Parrish-Geyer. Some rights reserved.

Breaking the Rules #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

September 3, 2014 by ReeseRyan

Hey Gang,

It’s time for a little Mid Week Tease. Last week Miles finally did what he’s wanted to do since the moment he laid eyes on Jamie: kiss her. While her interest was quite evident in the way she kissed him back, she quickly withdrew. Miles fears he’s done something wrong. However, Jamie finally confesses as to why they can’t be together and why she didn’t tell him sooner.

<===EXCERPT FROM LOVE ME NOT (BAD BOYS GONE GOOD BOOK #2)===>

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you kiss me.” She stepped to the side, creating distance.

“Jamie, I like you a lot. And I get the impression that you feel the same way about me. So what’s the problem?” He stepped in front of her again, forcing his hands down to his sides and resisting the urge to touch her. “Are you seeing someone?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then what?” He stepped closer, leaving marginal space between them.

Jamie tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and sighed. “I can’t see you. You’re a customer at Tahlia’s and we’re not allowed to date customers. Period. It’s a fireable offense.”

“You—the woman who broke at least twenty laws on the ride over here—suddenly cares about the rules?” His laughter was derisive. He hadn’t meant for it to come out that way, but his feelings were hurt. Jamie’s eyes blazed and he knew he’d said the wrong thing. He took a step back.

“Look, I know it’s just a shitty little barmaid job to you, but it’s important to me.” The words tumbled from her lips as she stepped forward into the light. Her cheeks were red, her lips drawn into a tight, thin line. She crossed her arms. “So excuse me for giving a shit about jeopardizing my job.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” He rested his fingertips gently on her arms, maintaining the distance between them. “You strike me as the kind of rebel who doesn’t care what other people think, so…does Tahlia’s really have a no-fraternizing rule, or is that just your way of telling me to kiss off?”

She seethed. “If I didn’t like you I’d just tell you to fuck off.”

“So why didn’t you tell me this a long time ago, when I first asked you out? If you’d told me then, I wouldn’t have bothered you again.” He released her arms and watched her face.

Her gaze raked the ground as she bit her lip and shrugged. “Maybe I was afraid that if I did, you’d stop coming around.”

Miles released a breath, the edge of his mouth curling slightly. It was the most hopeful he’d felt about his chances with Jamie Charles. She’d purposely withheld this information because she liked spending time with him. He hadn’t misinterpreted her feelings for him.

“I can respect that. And I’m sorry to have implied that you’d do anything to jeopardize your job. You’re an excellent bartender, and I’d never want to be the reason you lost your job. Forgive me?”

Jamie’s eyes met his. “I’m sorry, too. I should’ve said something earlier.”

He took another step back and gestured toward the door. “I know you’re tired. Sorry to have kept you.”

Jamie stuck her key in the door and turned the knob. “Thanks again for the ride.”

“You’re welcome. And I meant what I said about giving you a ride into work tomorrow or helping you get your car towed. I’d be happy to help. Just give me a call if you need me.” He dug a card out of his back pocket and handed it to her.

“I’m fine, but here…take one of my cards, in case you can’t find your way back. A couple of wrong turns, and you’ll end up in shit creek.”

Miles smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Oh, and Jamie…”

“Yes?” She was barely visible now, having mostly closed the door.

He shook his head and sighed. “Have a good night.”

She nodded and closed the door behind her.

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

If there’s one thing you’ve learned about Miles by now, it’s that he isn’t giving up that easily. Stay tuned to find out how he plans to get around this obstacle. The party isn’t over, though. Grab yourself a spot of tea, a mug of coffee or your favorite adult beverage and visit my fellow teasers on the list below.

Happy teasing!

A Goodnight Kiss #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

August 27, 2014 by ReeseRyan

Happy Wednesday! Ready for this week’s buffet of Mid Week Teases, hosted by author Sandra Bunino? Fabulous!

Last week Miles came to Jamie’s rescue when her old truck, Byron, wouldn’t start in the early morning hours after the bar closed. For weeks they’ve gotten to know each other with the bar serving as a wall between them. They were both struck by the intimate proximity of the car ride home, in comparison. It’s an opportunity Miles just can’t let pass, but will Jamie welcome his advance?

<===EXCERPT FROM LOVE ME NOT (BAD BOYS GONE GOOD BOOK #2)===>

Jamie parked in the closest available space to her third-floor rental. “I’m up the street there. Thanks for the ride, and for letting me drive. Will you be able to find your way back?”

“Sure, I’ve got my GPS. I’ll be fine. But that’s a long way up the street. I’ll walk you to your door.”

“Not necessary. This neighborhood is a snoozefest. Trust me, I’ll be fine.” She stepped out of the car.

Miles exited the passenger door, and she handed him the key. “My mother taught me to always walk a lady to her door. So please, just indulge me here. You’re killing my knight-in-shining-armor moment.”

She slung her bag over her shoulder and surveyed his face. “Okay, fine, but to the door, no further.”

He raised his hands in surrender. “To the door is fine.”

Miles locked the car and walked beside her down the street in silence. It was dark, but with the streetlights on he could see that the neighborhood was full of solid, older homes. Most of the houses were duplexes and two-family homes. There were a few single family homes, too. All of them seemed to be well cared for, even though they were probably built at least half a century ago.

“Nice neighborhood,” he said. “How long’ve you lived here?”

“In this place? About two years. Ma is about five minutes from here. I’ve lived a few places, never more than fifteen minutes away from her.”

“I’m sure she’s happy about that.”

“It makes her feel like I’m within reach, I guess.” She shrugged, digging her keys out of her bag. She turned up the drive of a beige two-family home. There were two cars parked in front of the two-car garage. “Thanks again for the ride. I’m exhausted. The last thing I wanted to deal with was a tow truck driver. Ma or Mimi will drive me over in the morning to get it towed. I’ll have to deal with the speech about letting my auto club membership lapse, but hey, I deserve it, right?”

“Or you could let me pick you up tomorrow and use my auto club membership. Then they’d never have to know,” he said quickly. He paused for a moment, realizing for the first time how strange it was not to have a two-foot oak bar separating them. He inhaled the floral scent drifting from her.

Jamie shifted the bag on her shoulder and sighed. “I appreciate what you did tonight, but I can’t impose on you any more than I already have.”

“Why not? I thought we were friends.” He smiled. “That’s the kind of thing friends do for each other, right?”

Jamie leaned against the side of the house. He could barely see her face in the darkened drive, but he could feel the warmth from her skin. He leaned in slowly, closing the space between them. His movement so gradual it felt like slow motion. He needed to be sure she wanted this, too.

Miles placed his hands gently on either side of her face and pressed his lips against hers. He relished the feel of her lips—plump, soft and firm. Savored their taste—sweet and tingly from the mint she’d popped in the car.

She’d leaned in closer and was kissing him back, her fingertips resting gently on his sides. He glided the tip of his tongue along the seam of her lips then slid it between them. Suddenly she pressed the heels of her hands firmly against his chest, pushing him away.

Shit! It was the tongue, wasn’t it? The tongue was too much.

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

Thank you for visiting and getting to know Miles and Jamie. Ready for more literary hors d’oeuvres? We have a wide selection for you this week. Grab a glass of vino and savor the tasty teases at the next stops.

Late Night Encounters #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

August 20, 2014 by ReeseRyan

Welcome back to the Mid Week Tease hosted by the lovely Sandra Bunino!

For the past several weeks, my hero Miles Copeland has slowly gotten to know the pretty, prickly and passionate bartender, Jamie Charles. They’ve grown closer and he can sense her attraction to him, but she has flatly rejected his request to get to know her outside of her work. An unexpected turn of events in the early morning hours just might give Miles the opening he’s been awaiting.

<===EXCERPT FROM LOVE ME NOT (BAD BOYS GONE GOOD BOOK #2)===>

Jamie uncapped the safety on her mace and locked up the bar. She climbed into the truck and turned the key. Nothing. She turned it again. Still nothing.

“Damn you, Byron! Not tonight. C’mon!” She tried a few more times but still got nothing. The last thing she wanted to do was wake Ellie in the middle of the night and admit that she’d let her stupid auto club membership lapse two months earlier. She’d rather call a cab now and deal with telling Ellie she’d screwed up again later.

Jamie pulled out her phone, a basic call-and-text device. She’d insisted she didn’t need a smartphone. Sitting in a dark parking lot in the middle of the night, needing to pull up a list of cab companies, her decision suddenly seemed pretty dumb.

“Everything okay?” A shadowy figure crossed the dark parking lot.

Jamie reached into her pocket and pulled out her key chain, ready to discharge the mace the second she knew something wasn’t right. The figure stepped into the light.

“Miles? What the hell are you doing out here at this time of night?” Jamie realized her heart was beating double-time. She drew in a deep breath then let it out in a huff. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry.” He held up both his hands, halting a few feet away from her. “My window faces the parking lot. I couldn’t sleep, thinking about this proposal I’ve been working on. I looked out the window and saw you get out of the truck and raise your hood. Is everything okay?”

“No. This fucking piece of shit picks tonight to not start. Not cool, Byron.” She directed her angry words at the temperamental truck.

“Do you mind?” He gestured toward it.

“You’re not going to find anything. I didn’t. I’m not a helpless little girl, you know.” She was surprised by how angry she sounded. After all, she was glad not to be alone in a dark parking lot.

“I know you aren’t. But you never know. Let me try?” He wriggled his fingers, and she reluctantly placed the keys in his palm. He climbed inside the truck and tried to start it without success. Finally he hopped down. “Okay, so we’ve definitely got to get it to a mechanic. But there’s no reason it has to be this very moment. Why don’t you let me take you home? My car’s in the garage across the street.”

Jamie bit her lip, not making eye contact. She didn’t want Miles taking her home, but what were the alternatives? “I was gonna call a cab, but I don’t have the number,” she said finally. “If you could look the number up in that fancy phone of yours, that’s really all I need. It’s late, and I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“It’s not an inconvenience—”

“You just said you were doing work stuff. Which, by the way, you shouldn’t be at this time of night.” She pointed an accusatory finger in his direction. “I don’t want you driving halfway across town for me.”

“Jamie…” He placed a hand on her shoulder. Even through the fabric of her shirt, her skin felt tingly underneath his touch. “Let me do this for you. You’d do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”

She surveyed his face for a moment. Spending the next half an hour together alone—without the security of the bar between them—was a tempting, yet potentially disastrous prospect. Still, it was the only one she had. “Okay, thanks. I’d appreciate a ride home.”

Miles waited as Jamie locked her truck and followed him across the street. He swiped his hotel key card and they entered the garage.

“This isn’t some lame attempt to get me to your room, is it?” She followed him up a flight of stairs.

He laughed. “Is it working?”

“No!” Her answer was emphatic.

“Then no.” He shrugged, smirking at her over one shoulder. When she narrowed those lovely green eyes at him and crossed her arms, his eyes drifted to her breasts. He quickly focused on her face and those pouty, bloodred lips again. “Just kidding. You know that, right?”

Jamie nodded then followed him again. Finally they arrived at Miles’s black BMW. A self-satisfied smirk lifted the corners of her mouth as she raised her eyes to his.

“Enough with the gloating,” he said. “You were right about the car. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Jamie slipped inside the passenger seat and looked around. The car still had that new-leather smell and it was as clean as it had been the day he rode it off the lot. “Didn’t say a word. I’m thankful for the ride.”

“So, where’re we going?”

“Coventry, near Cleveland Heights. I can direct you there.”

He smiled at her. “Why don’t you drive us there?”

“Drive this? You’ve gotta be kidding me,” she said.

“I trust you.” He stretched his hand out toward her, the key in his palm.

“I don’t think that’s such a great idea. My driving is more suitable for a racetrack than the city streets.”

“So you’re an aggressive driver. Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

Jamie narrowed her eyes at him, but let his smart-ass comment ride. “I’d love to take this machine for a ride and show her what a real driver can do, but I don’t think it’d be a good idea.”

“Let’s see what you’ve got.” He pressed the key into her palm and got out of the car. He went around to the passenger side and opened her door. “You’re not going chickenshit on me now, are you, Charles?” He grinned.

Her eyes sparked, like an ignited torch. He’d struck a nerve. It shouldn’t have surprised him. He doubted this girl had ever backed down from a challenge.

Jamie eased the BMW 535i out of its parking space and down the parking garage ramp, carefully taking the curves and getting a feel for the handle of the car. The engine purred like a mighty panther, ready to pounce. He could swear there was something in her eyes that lit up like a kid waking up on Christmas. This was going to be fun, if they survived.

<===END OF EXCERPT===>

Miles has got his hands full with Jamie, hasn’t he? I guess neither of them can walk away from a challenge. Now, get your engines revved up and get off to the race. Take a tour through some of the fun, sexy teases that await at the links below.

The Green-Eyed Beauty Behind the Bar #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

August 13, 2014 by ReeseRyan

After more than a week of feeling miserable, it’s good to be out among the living. This week I’ve been playing catch up, so it’s been crazy busy. Thankfully, it’s Mid Week Tease time. There’s nothing like a few Mid Week Teases to take the edge off an intense week.

For the past two weeks we’ve been in Jamie and Miles’s meet cute, from her point of view. This week, we step into his point of view to see what he’s thinking about the wicked vixen behind the bar who is more than a little determined to keep him at arm’s length.

<==EXCERPT FROM LOVE ME NOT==>

Miles stared at the large, heavy backlit menu. Quite an expense for a bar menu. Tahlia’s had gone all out to impress its high-end customer base.

He looked around the place. It was filled with people presumably like him. People with pockets deep enough that they wouldn’t flinch at paying twenty bucks for a fancy salad or a plate of calamari in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

The concierge at his hotel had highly recommended the place. He reviewed the menu. It all sounded delicious and he’d been starving when he’d walked through those doors fifteen minutes ago. But honestly there wasn’t anything on the menu half as interesting as the green-eyed beauty behind the bar.

The woman was mysterious, yet familiar—bearing a faint resemblance to someone he’d once known. Someone he’d once cared for. He sipped his water slowly, stealing a glance at her. About five foot eight. Lean, athletic body punctuated by sensual curves that made him fully aware of a need to adjust his trousers. Without turning his head, he watched as she sashayed behind the bar, hips swaying, her black pants clinging to her curves in all the right places. Suddenly she threw her head back and laughed, exposing her creamy neck. Her shiny black hair, loosely twisted low at the back of her head, shifted and for a moment he had the visceral sensation of tangling his fingers in it. She laughed again, more quietly this time. Pete was a regular funny guy. With him she seemed comfortable, relaxed.

Returning the glass to the bar, he picked up the menu again. She was apparently immune to his particular brand of charm. He hadn’t been able to solicit so much as a smile from her, let alone any genuine interest.

But then, maybe it was too soon to say.

Jamie stood in front of him, her arms folded tightly across a very impressive rack. Not that he was staring. It was just hard not to notice the strain of her breasts against the tight rayon shirt. The top buttons were open, revealing ample cleavage, a black camisole underneath and glimpses of a colorful tattoo. “Ready to order?”

Was he ever, but what he wanted tonight wasn’t on Tahlia’s menu. “Everything looks delicious.” Miles made sure he’d returned his gaze to the menu before he said it. After all, he didn’t want to come off like a complete sleaze bucket, even if all he could think about was how amazing those breasts probably looked beneath that snug shirt. “It’s impossible to choose. Maybe you can recommend something.”

She studied him for a moment then put down her iPad. She held her hand out, waiting expectantly, and he handed her the menu. Her eyes roamed over the menu quickly before returning it. “You’re not a vegetarian or anything, are you?”

“No.” He smiled. “I’m definitely a carnivore. In fact, the more meat, the better.”

She pursed her lips then returned her gaze to the menu. He responded with an inward grin, reasonably certain she was trying her damnedest not to smile. It gave him hope. Maybe Jamie the Bartender wasn’t a lost cause after all.

“My hands-down favorite meal off the bar menu is the blue-cheese-crusted filet mignon with port wine sauce. It’s seriously a stroke of genius. Like an orgasm for your mouth.” She stared at him for a moment, seemed to enjoy watching him squirm on the bar stool.

He picked up his glass of water and almost missed his own mouth as he attempted to take a quick gulp. Setting the glass back down, he wiped the water from his beard with the back of his hand. “Yeah,” he said, barely able to raise his eyes to hers. “I’ll take that.”

“Perfect.” A full grin crept across her pretty mouth.

Yep. She was definitely fucking with him. And she enjoyed it. This girl was more than he bargained for. Yet there was something about her that made him want to barrel straight through the Danger: Keep the Fuck Out sign she was clearly projecting.

“So, how do you want your potatoes?”

“Potatoes?”

“You know, the brown things that grow out of the ground? We serve them here. Six different ways.”

“Oh yeah, umm…garlic mashed potatoes, please.”

She nodded. “Good choice. Side salad, Caesar salad, broccoli or the vegetable of the day?”

“What’s the vegetable of the day?”

She glanced behind her to look at the chalkboard with the special, soup and vegetable of the day written neatly in white, red and blue chalk. “Brussels sprouts in a white wine reduction.”

“Yeah, I’ll take that.” He folded the heavy menu closed, then handed it to her.

A wicked smile was perched on her dark lips. Did she have the slightest clue how incredibly enticing that smile was? “Great. Will that be all?”

He peered deeply into those bewitching green eyes framed by dark, smoky, cat-eyed makeup. “For now.”

Now it was her turn to squirm a little under his stare. She put the menu back behind the bar and turned to walk away.

Miles tapped his finger lightly on the bar. Maybe his prospects with this girl weren’t looking so bad after all.

<==END OF EXCERPT==>

Thanks for taking the time to visit. Don’t forget to visit the other stops on the list below.

Turning the Tables #MWTease #BadBoysGoneGood

August 6, 2014 by ReeseRyan

It’s time for the Mid Week Tease ( #MWTease ) hosted by the lovely and talented Sandra Bunino. I’ve enjoyed sampling stories from a variety of genres through this fun weekly event, including Sandra’s book, The Colors of Us, which will be available this month. Last week, Jamie met Miles at the restaurant where she works. Miles is intrigued by the beautiful, bad ass bartender. She finds him attractive, but doesn’t believe he’s her type.

Jamie’s dark past has taught her few people can be trusted. She can be a bit gruff, but Miles doesn’t scare that easily.

<==EXCERPT FROM LOVE ME NOT==>

The guy might be goofy and slightly aggravating, but he had the potential to be a good tipper. No matter how irritated she was, she knew better than to fuck that up. Jamie took a deep breath and gave him a dead-eyed smile that skirted civility without encouraging further interaction. “Maybe you’ll feel better if you tell me about it,” she said. “After all, isn’t that why you came here?”

“Hmm…I’ll bet you get that all the time. Rich bozos sitting here whining about their wives, mistresses and tennis elbow.”

She choked back the laugh rising in her chest before it could escape her lips. Covering her mouth, she cleared her throat and managed a straight face. “My customers are not bozos.”

“How politically correct of you to say so.” He tapped the bar lightly with his index finger. “But I have an idea. How about we turn the tables tonight? Tonight, why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you?”

This guy was really beginning to bug her. Since when did a complete stranger give a damn about what was bothering her? Where was this guy from anyway, Mayberry?

A regular came in and sat at the bar. She was glad for the distraction. “I’ll be right with you, Pete,” she told him before turning back to the man who’d managed to get under her skin. “Excuse me—”

“Miles.”

“I’m sorry…?”

“You called him Pete, right? Well, I’m Miles. Miles Copeland. It’s nice to meet you.”

She cleared her throat, her jaw tight. “I’ll be back to check on your order in a few…Miles.”

<==END OF EXCERPT==>

Thanks for stopping by this week. This week I kept it short and sweet. But next week we get inside Miles’s head and see what he is thinking and feeling. Now, grab a cup of coffee or your favorite adult beverage and visit some of the other authors on the list below.

PS: Get yourself a fan. You’ll need it at a few of these stops. 😉