Meet Me in Cocoa Beach!

I’m beyond excited about the Space Coast Book Lovers event in Cocoa Beach, Florida, this weekend, May 31-June 3!

I’ll be heading up I-95 on Thursday with bins of books for signing and a bunch of swag to give away.  In addition to the book signing, there is a Book Nook where you can pick up a free book, an Author Speed Mingle where you get to sit and chat with the authors, a raffle basket, and more.  I understand that rum buckets are also on the agenda.

I’m getting packed for Space Coast Booklovers!

While some of the activities require a paid ticket, the book signing on Saturday is FREE.  I’d love to see you there.  Go to Space Coast Book Lovers for all the details.

Weekend Excerpt–FOR SPARROW

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She’s a sub without a Dom.
He’s a Dom without a sub.
For the time being, it’s perfect.

FOR SPARROW is the third book in the Dream Dominant Collection.  It’s the winner of the 2017 New Apple Award in Literary Erotica, and it’s a Golden Flogger Nominee for Best BDSM book of 2018.

When Jessi Crenshaw’s husband Graham dies unexpectedly, she’s devastated. He’s the only man she’s ever loved. Just eighteen when she met him, she’s been married to him for twenty-five years. Now she’s lost her friend, her lover…and her Dominant. 

But as it turns out, Graham had an inkling that his health was in decline, and he tapped his friend and protégé in the Lifestyle, firefighter and paramedic Judd Farris, to be Jessi’s Dominant until she gets back on her feet. 

Judd is determined to fulfill his promise to his friend. But it’s a damn odd arrangement—a platonic Dom/sub relationship. With her fiery auburn hair, sparkling green eyes, and audacious spirit, Jessi captured his attention the first time he ever saw her. At her husband’s funeral. 

A man could go to hell for the things he’s been thinking. But they’ve drawn a line, and he’s going to stick to it.

Judd’s sexy good looks and his gentle confidence aren’t lost on Jessi. She’s torn between loyalty to the man she loved, and desire for the man increasingly in her fantasies. In the letter Graham left for her, he mentioned that she might find Judd attractive. But that’s simply ridiculous. He’s five years younger than she is. He couldn’t possibly be interested in her. Could he?

Judd’s a Dom without a sub, and Jessi’s a sub without a Dom. It’s perfect for the time being. Could it be that Graham had more in mind than merely a temporary solution? 

And could it all end at the hands of a madman?

Here’s a HOT teaser from FOR SPARROW.

Jessi stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. The image she saw looked tired, dark circles under listless eyes. She turned to the side, examining herself in profile. She’d probably lost weight, although she’d never step on a scale to find out.
Facing forward again, she reached up, twisting her long auburn hair into a topknot, and she turned her head this way and that. Forty-five. She didn’t look so bad, did she?

Do you suppose a man like Judd might be attracted…

Her eyes widened. Where did that thought come from? She had just been staring at her dead husband’s closet. How could she even think about…

A determined glint in her eye, she slowly removed her clothes, dropping item after item until she stood nude in the mirror. She used a tortoiseshell clip to fasten her hair up again and stood, hands on her waist, assessing what she saw. Her face was virtually unlined, only the slightest hint of laugh lines at the corners of her eyes. She traced the fingers of her right hand along her jawline. Fastidious application of sun block over the years had undoubtedly helped.

Nothing like creamy Irish skin to discourage a love of sunbathing, she considered.

Her gaze slid down from her face, skipping over her breasts to her stomach, which was amazingly flat.

Yeah, grief will do that to you. She snorted at the thought.

She skimmed further down to the V where her legs met. A light smattering of red pubic hair didn’t hide the cleft there. Judd had been insistent about her toenails. Would he think that she needed to wax, too?

Lightly, she smoothed her fingertips down her neck and hesitated briefly before bringing up her hands to cup her breasts. They’d increased over the years, from a B cup before Cara had been born, to the DDs they were now. They weren’t as high as they used to be, she noticed, hefting their weight in the mirror. She slid her hands to capture her rose-tipped nipples between her fingers, squeezing them and causing them to pebble tightly.

God, she wanted a man’s hands there. Judd’s hands. There was no sense in denying it. Not in the privacy of her bathroom, at least.

He’d given her permission for release. Once. He’d been very clear about it. She felt the need in her core.

Naked, she returned to Graham’s closet. As her Master, he’d been the keeper of their toys. Ignoring a flicker of guilt, she opened the door and pushed aside his suits and slacks. When they’d bought the house, Graham had kindly accepted the smaller of the two master closets; his was merely a rack of clothes behind a door. Jessi had been treated to the huge walk-in on the opposite wall.

But it was behind his things, on a shelf at the back, where he kept the ornate burlwood box that held their small assortment of dildos, vibrators, clamps, and other toys, and it had been Graham who had chosen what they’d use and when.

Jessi realized that part of her objection to Cara’s plan might have stemmed from the fear of her children discovering her stash of sex toys. She suppressed a smile at the picture of her daughter unearthing the box in front of her boyfriend.

It’s going to stay in my closet from now on, she thought, closing the door and placing the box on the bed. Lifting the hinged lid, she scanned the contents. The wand was always a good choice. But she craved penetration. Moving aside the wand, she selected the rabbit vibrator with its clear pink latex design. She closed the lid of the box, carried it to her closet where she placed it on a low shelf, and took the chosen vibrator into the bathroom.

Up to her neck in lavender-scented bubbles, Jessi sighed. The room was lit only by a handful of tea light candles she’d placed around the edges of the garden tub. She closed her eyes and recalled the feeling of being in Judd’s arms earlier in the day. He’d told her that he was proud of her, and that had pleased Jessi immensely.

And he’d given her permission to come. The impish sparkle in his eyes had held the promise of a skilled lover.

Her eyes popped open. Why had she thought that? Nevermind. Focus on the task at hand.

She leaned back once again, eyes closed, as she began to stroke and knead her breasts, pulling her nipples tightly, picturing lips suckling them, a tongue caressing them, as the heat built between her thighs. She slid one hand lower to stroke her needy sex, finding the sensitive nub erect with arousal. Rubbing intensely, she brought herself to the edge of orgasm, but slowed down. If she was only getting one, she was going to make it last.

Her hands retreated to her breasts again, then slowly traveled back down to her pussy, where she nearly rubbed herself to completion again. This time, she picked up the pink rabbit waiting on the edge of the tub and clicked it once. Lowering the vibrator to her clit, she gasped as her eyes rolled back with pleasure. Realizing she couldn’t hold out much longer, she slid the phallus to her sensitive entrance, pressing slowly into her core, all the while imagining Judd, holding himself over her, pushing his way into her needy space. The outer part of the dildo vibrated against her clit as she fucked herself.

“Oh, God,” she moaned softly, her moment building. “Oh, shit, holy…Judd!” Orgasm thundered over her as she gasped, her body shuddering with intense release. As her quaking subsided, she switched off the dildo, but left it in place as she floated back to earth.

Sparrow 5 star review

FOR SPARROW is available in both digital and paperback formats at your favorite online bookseller.

Weekend Excerpt–Royal Wedding Edition

Because who doesn’t love a
modern-day adult fairy tale?

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Have you enjoyed the royal wedding as much as I have?  It’s so romantic, right?  Every girl’s fantasy!

And now that you’re in the mood, CHASING ORDINARY is my modern-day adult fairy tale.  Here’s what it’s all about.

Sculptor Petey Cavanaugh is too busy with her art and her work on the family sheep ranch in Montana to pay attention to celebrity gossip.  Which is why, when she meets the crown prince of Beruvia one rainy Manhattan night, she has no idea who he really is.  As far as she knows, he’s just Nik, wealthy Eurpoean businessman.

Nik is enchanted with her from the start.  She’s smart, funny, gorgeous, and she treats him like a regular person.  Petey’s his first ever taste of ordinary, everything he ever wanted.  If he doesn’t blow it.

How about a little teaser?

The moment Petey closed the apartment door behind herself, she burst into hot tears. Jules, who had been relaxing in the living room with her Kindle, immediately jumped up and came over to her.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, reaching for her hand.

“I’m just so…fucking stupid,” Petey growled through her tears.

“But what happened?” Jules frowned deeply. “Did Nik hurt you? Because I will kick his ass!”

Petey was crying too hard to answer, so Jules put an arm around her and led her to the kitchen counter. While Petey settled onto a stool and continued to sob, Jules poured them both a shot of Cuervo Silver. “Here,” she said, handing a glass to Petey, “suck this down and tell me exactly what happened.”

Sniffling, Petey tossed back the tequila and coughed as it hit her throat. Jules downed hers quickly, and repoured for both of them. “So talk,” she urged her friend.

“H-he lied to me,” Petey stuttered, trying to calm her voice.

Jules gasped. “He’s married! That son of a bitch.”

Petey shook her head miserably. “No. That’s not it. He told me he was in international business.”

“And he’s not?” Jules asked.

“No! He’s the fucking prince of Beruvia!” Petey’s tears started anew.

Jules blinked. “He’s the prince of Beruvia? Nik?” She shook her head. “Pete, that doesn’t even make sense. The prince of Beruvia is Prince Stefan. He’s all over the tabloids all the time. Here, I’ll show you.”
Cueing up Google Images on her phone, she chose a headshot of a handsome blonde man with stormy blue eyes, and she held it up to Petey.

“Hon, this is Prince Stefan of Beruvia.”

Petey peered at the image and bawled anew. “I know! He lied to me!”

Realization began to dawn on Jules. “This? This is your Nik?” Her eyes widened. “You fucked the prince of Beruvia in my guest room?”

She watched as Petey crossed her arms on the counter and rested her head on them, her back shuddering with sobs. Jules rubbed her back soothingly. “Petey, seriously, how did you not know he was a prince? I mean, everybody knows who he is. He’s like, Europe’s most eligible divorcé.”

Petey raised up her head slightly to scowl at Jules. “Well, thanks, because I wasn’t feeling stupid enough already.”

Jules shook her head and gazed out over the living room. “Geez, Pete, he’s always in the tabloids and on the gossip shows.”

“I live on a sheep ranch. In my spare time, which is precious little, I work on my sculptures. I don’t have time or patience for stupid celebrity gossip.”

“So how did you find out?” Jules wondered.

Petey, calmer now, sat up and swiped at her face with her hands. “We were jumped by a bunch of photographers outside of Paddy’s. Nik’s-” She paused, scowling. “Whoever’s people, they pushed us into a car and drove us away.”

“Paparazzi?” Jules glanced at Petey. “You realize you’re probably online right now.”

“Stop it!” Petey gasped.

Pushing away from the kitchen counter, Jules padded into her bedroom and retrieved her laptop. She returned to the counter and fired up the device. “Let’s see,” she murmured.

Watching over her friend’s shoulder, Petey watched as Jules entered Prince Stefan into the search bar. Immediately images of the man who’d introduced himself as ‘Nik’ filled the screen. Jules refined the search to ‘most recent’ and there she was, Petey Cavanaugh, gaping wide-eyed as she and Nik were pushed into the back of a black Mercedes.

“Motherfucker,” Petey breathed.

From deep within her purse, her phone began to ring. Jules glanced at her. “Are you going to get that?”

Petey shook her head. “It’s probably him.”

The ringing continued. Jules pursed her lips. “I think you should get it.”

“I’m not answering,” Petey said, crossing her arms defiantly.

“Then I’m going to get it.” Grasping Petey’s bag from the floor where she’d dropped it, Jules rooted around until she found the device. She showed Nik’s image to Petey before swiping to unlock the phone. “Hello?”

“Oh, thank God, Petey, I’m so sorry. Please allow me to explain,” pleaded a deep voice with a British accent.

“No, this isn’t Petey, this is Jules. Petey’s very upset. She doesn’t feel up to talking right now.” Quietly, Jules pressed the button for ‘speaker’.

“I beg your pardon,” replied the voice. “I know she’s upset, and I know she feels that I deceived her, but I need to explain everything. Is there any way she’ll talk to me?”

Jules looked to Petey, who flashed double middle fingers and mouthed a silent, “Fuck you!”

She frowned into the phone, “Yeah, Nik, that’s not looking too good right now. Tell you what, give me a few minutes and I’ll see what I can do.”

CHASING ORDINARY is a 5-STAR reviewed contemporary fairy tale for grown-ups.

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Live the fairy tale!

Get CHASING ORDINARY
at your favorite online bookseller.

Cover Reveal–Legends: Catori by Maggie Adams

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My friend and fellow Wicked Pen Maggie Adams has ventured into a brand new genre, paranormal romance, with her new book, LEGENDS: CATORI.

Out June 1st – The first in a new Paranormal Romance series from Maggie Adams – Legends: Catori

It’s hard to keep secrets in a small town….

It’s even harder to keep a secret that could expose not only your family, but an entire species. That’s what Frankie Cavanaugh must do. As the daughter of the leader of the Wisdom Council, it’s up to her to step into her father’s shoes until another leader is chosen.

It’s also up to her to continue her lineage within the species.

She wants to do neither. She considers the shifter gene a curse rather than a gift, robbing her of a normal life. Unfortunately, the Council doesn’t see it that way and is determined to wed her to their next leader – by force, if necessary.

Tanner Coalson is fresh out of college and ready to tackle whatever life has in store for him. First item on his to-do list is marrying the woman he has loved for years. He knows Frankie will baulk at the notion because she’s fifteen years older and was his childhood sitter. He’s no longer a young boy, but a man who is determined to win her heart, and he is prepared to do just that.

But convincing her they are destined to be together gets much harder when she is kidnapped by an old enemy. In order to survive, Frankie may have to reveal her secret, and Tanner may have to accept what seems impossible, or reject the love of his life.

Find out more at: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Maggie adams author pic

About Maggie Adams:
Maggie Adams is an Amazon Best Selling contemporary romance author. Her first book in the Tempered Steel Series, Whistlin’ Dixie, debuted in Amazon’s Top 100 for Women’s Fiction, humor, on November, 2014. Since then, she has consistently made the Amazon best seller 5-star list with Leather and Lace, Something’s Gotta Give, and Love, Marriage & Mayhem. She is also the recipient of the Dayreader Review’s Best New Series Award for 2015. Her series has launched the tiny town of Grafton, Illinois, into International recognition with sales in Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and the UK.

Back home, she resides in the Midwest, with her high school sweetheart, Ned, and their children, Katie (Kyle) and Ross (Valerie) and first granddaughter, Lorelei, otherwise known as “The Boss”

You can connect with her online at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest | BookBub

Weekend Excerpt–WIP WARRIOR MINE

 

WARRIOR MINE, my current Work In Progress, will be Dream Dominant Book 4.  The Dream Dominant Collection is a series of stand-alone contemporary erotic romance novels featuring a light BDSM theme.

In WARRIOR MINE, a spin-off from LOST & BOUND, Dream Dominant Book 2, Dominant  outdoors expert Scott Nielsen falls for his friend Blake’s sister Jackie, a tough single mom who runs the family business, a remote wilderness guest lodge in northern Ontario.

Jackie is attracted to Scott from the moment the two meet, but she’s not sure she’s anybody’s submissive.  Can Scott convince her that in releasing to him her submission, she gains so much more than she gives up?

Here’s a sneak peek at WARRIOR MINE.

“All I wanted was to wash my hair today, and now I’m so tired, all I can think of is to fall into bed.”

He nodded. “I know. Come with me.” She gave a puzzled frown and he gestured. “Come on.”

She followed him to her bedroom door, which he opened, allowing her to precede him. The first thing she noticed was that her bed was made, in contrast to the disorganized heap she’d left early that morning. She gave him a sharp look.

“As long as I was making the bed anyway, I gave you fresh sheets,” he explained.

Her mouth flew open. “You didn’t have to do that,” she said quickly.

He tilted his head toward her. “I know.” He gestured further. “Come.”

He led her into her bathroom, where he’d placed a kitchen chair backed against the bathtub. Jackie stopped and frowned again. “What’s going on?”

“I’m going to wash your hair.”

Jackie looked up at him in amazement. “No, Scott, seriously, you don’t have to do that. I’ll just wash it tomorrow.”

“Jackie,” he said softly, “sit.”

“Well I…”

He pointed to the chair. “Sit.” His tone was quietly intense.

Reluctantly, Jackie sat in the chair and looked up at him.

“Good girl. Now hold on, because I’m going to lean you back.” When Jackie gripped the sides of the seat, he carefully tilted the chair so it leaned against the side of the tub. He rolled a towel and gently placed it under her neck.

“How’s that?” he asked.

“Um, it’s good, but really, Scott, you don’t have to-”

“Enough. I want you to just relax. I’m going to cover your eyes.” He folded a washcloth and rested it over her eyes.

Jackie breathed out heavily and clasped her hands tightly in her lap. Scott started the water, allowing it to reach just the right temperature. Then he pulled the knob, diverting the water to the hand-held shower head, which he used to soak her long dark locks.

Scott spoke in gentle, hushed tones. “Okay, Princess, it’s time to clear your mind. Just let everything go. Concentrate on what you feel.”

“See, the thing is, you really don’t have to do this-” she began.

“Jackie, if you don’t stop talking, I will gag you.”

Her mouth formed a tight O, and she clamped her lips closed.

Scott grinned as he worked fragrant lavender-scented shampoo through her hair. When the lather was thick, he gently massaged her scalp, earning a soft moan.

“That’s right, Princess. Relax. I’ve got you.”

He thoroughly rinsed her hair and followed up with conditioner, treating her scalp to another massage. Jackie had released the death-grip on her hands, and her arms now dangled loosely beside her.

After Scott rinsed her hair for the final time, he wrapped her head in a cottony blue towel and gently sat her up again. Jackie blinked against the harsh bathroom light as the cloth fell into her lap.

“Now, sit tight. I’m going to dry your hair,” Scott told her.

Jackie started to object, and he silenced her with his best Dom look. “Not a word, Princess. We’ve come this far. Don’t make me gag you now.”

She pressed her lips together and crossed her arms, and he had to laugh. Sectioning off her hair, he used a large round brush to dry each part until her long dark hair was glossy. He put down the dryer and ran his fingers through her tresses, checking to see that it was dry, and not missing the way she closed her eyes and sighed.

“Okay, Jackie, I think we’re done. Now,” he fixed her with an arched brow, “do what you need to do to get ready for bed. I’ll be tucking you in tonight.”

He left her in the bathroom and crossed to her bedroom door. “I’ll be back in ten minutes. When you’re ready, you can wait for me right there.” He closed the door behind him before she could answer.

Out in the hallway, he released a heavy sigh. Washing Jackie’s hair had been a deeply sensual experience, and he knew that she felt it, too. Heading over to the island for the time being was the right choice. Aside from the obvious, freeing up one more guest room, it would give her the distance she needed to consider the things he’d told her about entering a Dom/sub relationship. And it would give him the distance he needed to stop daydreaming of having her in his bed. Having her on her knees at his feet.

He snorted. There wasn’t enough distance on the planet to get those thoughts out of his head. Still, moving out of the lodge was the right call. He’d get busy with the cabin renovation and hopefully things would sort themselves out.

A glance at his grandfather’s watch showed him that ten minutes had elapsed. He returned to her bedroom door and knocked lightly before letting himself in.

As she’d been instructed, Jackie was seated on the chair in the bathroom. She’d changed out of the jeans and t-shirt she’d worn all day, and was now wearing an oversized white Mickey Mouse t-shirt, which she self-consciously pulled as far down her thighs as she could.

Scott nodded approvingly. “Good girl. Come,” he held out his hand, “I’ll tuck you in.”

Jackie stood, reaching to grasp his hand. He led her to the bed where she waited while he turned down the covers. She sat on the edge and pulled her feet up. Scott fluffed the pillows and patted them gently. Jackie lay back and allowed him to pull up her covers.

He gazed down at her lovingly. “Okay, Princess. It’s been a long day. I hope you have sweet dreams.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Good night.”

jackie sleeping

WARRIOR MINE will be out this summer.

Until then, get up to speed by reading LOST & BOUND,
and the rest of the Dream Dominants.

Cover Reveal–THE DARK WEB by C.A. Bell

.•*¨) COVER REVEAL .•*¨)

.•* The Dark Web by C.A.Bell .•*
Coming May 2018 .•*

Two people with completely different lives…
One moment in time that will alter their worlds forever…
One thing in common… The dark web.

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Brian Abbot is broken. Grief has twisted his heart for the past two years, rooting itself in the very core of him like a disease, making every day a struggle. Sending not only his heart but his mind into the darkest of places. He’s ready to end it all. Ready to fall into oblivion and be punished for what he’s done.

Megan Archer is a recovering cocaine addict and ex-whore working the dark web as Chastity Noir, fulfilling dark and unusual fantasy’s that can’t be satisfied so easily on the surface web. She thinks she’s finally finding her feet. That is until she’s in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Now, she’s fearing for her life.

Are you ready to step into an encrypted network of dark and disturbing things? Are you ready to enter the black-market that offers everything you could possibly imagine? A place where even the most psychotic of minds can be shocked?

Very few have the nerve to visit such a place, but when they do, there’s no turning back.

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Coming soon!
Find THE DARK WEB at Goodreads.

C.A.Bell’s Stalker Links:

Website – http://cbellatrix.wixsite.com/cabell
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorC.A.BELL/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/c.a.bell_author/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/cbellAtrix09
Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/C-A-Bell/e/B0140XPC0U/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1951042.C_A_Bell
C.A.Bell’s Hot Room – https://www.facebook.com/groups/957145681001116/
Bell & Gill’s Naughty Corner – https://www.facebook.com/groups/172075439998804/

 

 

 

Weekend Excerpt–What’s NEW For Rannigan’s Redemption?

Rannigan’s Redemption, a sexy law drama in three parts, has been out for a few years now, but there’s exciting news: All three books have brand new covers, and they’re finally all available in paperback for the first time!

Rannigan’s Redemption, my three-novel spicy vanilla law drama, is the story of the complicated relationship between bad boy Manhattan attorney Michael Rannigan and Maggie Flynn, the smart redhead he hires to join his prestigious firm.

Michael is a rogue, an inveterate player with a stable of surgically-enhanced bottle-blondes at his beck and call.  Maggie’s smart and capable, maybe even a better lawyer than Michael, if he stops to think about it.  She’s too smart for his sexual tastes, definitely not his type.  So why can’t he get her out of his mind?

Maggie has been in love with him from the beginning.  She knows how he operates, and that the situation is all but hopeless.  But she sees the man he could be.  For now, she’s content to work with him.

What would happen if they crossed that line?

Here’s a little teaser from the first book, RESISTING RISK.

With the concert over, the dj was back in position and guests were taking advantage of the dance floor situated at the opposite end of the dinner tent from Michael’s table.  Michael and Maggie dodged enthusiastic dancers as they headed back to check on Ben.

White candles on the tables and white paper lanterns hung along the sides of the tent washed the scene in soft light.  Nearby trees had been strung with tiny sparkling lights and with nightfall the place took on the appearance of a fairyland.

Ben was asleep with his head on the table when Michael and Maggie returned.  The Murphys and the Methenys arrived at the table just behind them and their return caused Ben to stir slightly.

“Did you see Diamond Dave?” Pam gushed excitedly.  “He’s still so hot!”

“I didn’t see him but I heard him.  He sounds great,” Maggie commented.

“Michael, we’re going to be heading out.  We still have to get back to the city and pay the babysitters while we can still afford it,” Brian laughed and he moved around the table to shake Michael’s hand.  Pam and Renee gathered their purses and wraps.

“Did you guys share a car?” Michael asked.  “I didn’t realize.  Well, hey, I’m glad you made it out tonight.  We should go out together more often.”  He shook Jim’s hand and pecked Pam and Renee on the cheeks.

“Maggie, it was lovely meeting you,” Renee said.  “We’ll all get together for lunch or something.”

“That sounds great.  It was nice meeting you as well.  Safe travels,” Maggie said.  They stood and watched the foursome leave.

Maggie looked down at Ben, who was still asleep.  “I’m so sorry, Michael.  I never dreamed he’d be like this.”

Michael waved off the apology.  “Never apologize for someone else.  At least he’s quiet.”  They both laughed lightly.

“I should probably try to get him moving so we can go,” Maggie said.  “Ben, wake up.  Come on, seriously, we should be going.”

Michael watched her attempt to wake the sleeping Ben.  As she leaned forward over the table her tits came precariously close to spilling out of the deep v neckline and Michael was mesmerized, feeling himself become aroused.

“Hey Mags, let him sleep.  I’m stuck waiting here until my car returns.  Let’s hang out and you two can ride back with me.  Besides, they’re supposed to have fireworks in about an hour.”

“Really?”  Maggie gave a relieved smile.  “I wasn’t sure how I was going to get him home on the train.  I sort of pictured tossing him over my shoulder firefighter style.”

They both laughed as Michael removed his jacket and loosened his tie, placing the jacket on the back of the chair beside him.  He flagged down a waiter and quietly said something Maggie didn’t catch.  The waiter nodded.  “I’ll be right back, sir.”

Michael motioned to a chair beside him.  “Come, relax.”  As Maggie moved to Michael’s side of the table, the waiter returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses.  He opened the wine and offered it to Michael.

“That’s fine, thanks, I’ll take it from here,” he said, handing the man a generous tip.  Michael poured as Maggie sat beside him, their chairs facing each other.

She leaned an elbow on the table.  “That’s some service,” she commented.

He shrugged.  “You just have to ask nicely,” he said.  “Too many people behave like assholes.  Everybody likes to be treated with courtesy.”

They sipped without speaking for a while, enjoying the music from the other end of the tent.  Maggie spoke up.  “The Murphys and the Methenys were very charming.  I liked Pam and Renee.”

Michael nodded.  “Yeah, they’re good people.  Although the girls looked like bored house fraus out for a night on the town.”

Maggie let out a surprised laugh and playfully slapped his arm.  “They did not, they were lovely!”

“Just calling them like I see them,” Michael chuckled.

“Well I thought they were sweet.  And it’s sweet they had to get home to their kids.  They’re such nice families.”

Michael rolled his eyes.  “Don’t tell me.  Mary Margaret Flynn aspires to be a member of the Dowdy House Frau Club.  Ah, yes, the white picket fence, the 2.3 kids, the cocker spaniel.  You’d give up your career and move to the suburbs?”

Maggie blinked and spluttered, “The what?  I don’t…I mean you can’t just…”

He laughed heartily.  “Okay, Mags, don’t blow a gasket.  I’m just pulling your chain.”

“I’m not talking about giving up my career or moving.  People raise families in the city.  They do it all the time.  Don’t you want all that?  You know, a home, a wife, kids.  I mean, sometime, not now.  But seriously, Michael.  You mock all that like it’s pointless.”

He shook his head gravely.  “No.  I absolutely do not want that.  I like my life just as it is.  I come and go as I please.  I spend my money as I please.  If I want to go out, I do.  Otherwise I stay in alone.”

She regarded him seriously.  “But you don’t want to grow old alone.  Don’t you want someone to be there for you when life gets difficult?”

“I would think you of all people would get it,” Michael said, draining his wine and pouring another glass.  “People let you down.  They leave you and you have to fend for yourself.  It’s just easier this way.  You know what you’re getting.”

“Being alone in the world was never my choice.  And I hope to find someone to build a life with, to create a family with, if only to do better than what I had growing up,” she replied passionately.

“Your date tonight is an unconscious gay guy.  And how are you doing on that family thing?” he asked darkly.

Maggie swigged the rest of her wine.  “Well, it’s easier said than done,” she acknowledged quietly.

They drank in silence for a while, the mood between them soured.

“You know, Dan likes you,” Michael offered.

Maggie laughed.  “He doesn’t.”

“He does.  He told me so.  Asked me if it would be breaking firm policy to ask you out.”

“I wouldn’t go out with him,” Maggie said firmly.

“Why not?” Michael wondered.  “He’s a nice guy.”

“He’s a very nice guy.  I’m just not attracted to him.  It wouldn’t be right,” she answered.

Michael shook his head, bewildered.  They settled into quietly listening to the music as they sipped their wine.

Recognizing the intro to the next song, Maggie cried out, “Oh! Moon Dance!  I love Van Morrison.”

Michael gave her a sideways glance and held out his hand.  “Come on, Mags.  Dance with me.”

She took his hand as he helped her to her feet and she giggled self-consciously, her several glasses of wine causing her to wobble a little as they walked to the dance floor.  He turned to face her, placing his right hand on the small of her back and holding up her right hand in his left.

Maggie giggled again.  “So formal, Mr. Rannigan,” she smiled up at him.

He crooked an eyebrow at her.  “I’ve had lessons, Ms. Flynn.”  They began moving around the dance floor, swaying to the beat of the music.  Michael crooned along and made Maggie laugh by spinning her several times then pulling her close.  At one point he suddenly dipped her backwards, causing her to whoop in surprise.  Nearby dancers applauded as he pulled her back up and held her to him.  He could feel her heart pounding as she caught her breath.

“God, you smell good,” she whispered against his neck.

“That, Ms. Flynn,” he teased, “is because I showered and put on clean clothes today.”  His wit was rewarded by Maggie’s laughter.

Van Morrison finished moondancing and he was replaced by Eric Clapton singing about a woman who looks wonderful tonight.  Maggie stopped dancing and stepped back from Michael.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

She shook her head.  “I don’t know, Michael, it’s a slow song.” Maggie gazed up at him sheepishly, the self-conscious look back in place.

His soft brown eyes burned into hers.  “I’m not done.  And you do, you know.  You look wonderful tonight.”

Without waiting for her to reply, he once again pulled her close to himself with one hand on the small of her back, the other gripping her right hand and pulling it in to his collar bone, brushing it across his lips in the process.  He could feel her breath against his neck, then she sighed quietly and rested her head on his shoulder.  He hummed the rest of the song and when it was over, he continued holding her close.

A loud whistle followed by an explosion jarred them both as the fireworks display began over the water.  Michael released her and she stepped back.  “That was…” Maggie looked up into his face, eyes shining, “nice.”

He grinned down at her.  “Yes, it was.  Shall we go watch the fireworks?”

RESISTING RISK is available at your favorite online bookseller.
books2read.com/ResistingRisk

The very first chapter introduces you to Michael Rannigan.  In this trailer, I read it to you.