Friedgatortail: anthology

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Heroes To Swoon For ~ Blazing Love

Blazing Love – Chantel Rhondeau

Laura’s attempting to rebuild her life after grieving for her murdered fiancé. Fireman Thayne is the most eligible bachelor in Sayle—strong, loyal, and sexy as hell. He’s determined to show Laura how to love again, but an arsonist ups the stakes, risking more than their romance.

Finally reaching her apartment building, Laura trotted up the sidewalk, noting the overgrown grass. Her landlord sucked. How hard was it to take care of the yard? She wondered if Thayne took one look at her crappy little building and decided she was pathetic. Which wouldn’t be wrong, really. Most days, I feel pathetic.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true, but after her fiancé’s murder, her panic attacks began, changing her life forever. Laura had a much harder time being the carefree girl she used to be.

She stepped inside the building and turned down the inner hall, unable to stop the smile that crept onto her lips when she saw Thayne sitting in front of her apartment door.

“Hey,” she called, hurrying toward him. “Sorry, I’m late. I didn’t have your number or I would have texted.”

He stood, picking up a basket from the floor. “That’s something we’ll have to remedy. Friends should have each other’s numbers.”

His deep voice and the way his mouth turned up slightly at the corners made her heart hitch for a beat or two. Her body wanted to be anything but friends with the sex god. No, no. He’s off limits. I can handle this. Just friends. Friends are good. Friends are great. I need friends... and sex. I need sex! Lots and lots of it. We don’t have to have a relationship to take advantage of his sexiness, do we?

Laura reached the door and stuck the key in the lock, thankful Thayne couldn’t read her thoughts. Even though she’d been on her own for far too long, that didn’t give her the right to jump him. Shaking her head a bit at herself, she swung the door open. “I was afraid you’d leave before I made it home.”

“I was afraid you hoped I’d go. I know I forced you into this.”

The wide smile on his face didn’t look apologetic or worried. Laura wondered how long Thayne would have waited.

“We had some last-minute emergencies, and Vicky decided to take them since we need the business. I wasn’t avoiding you.”

She led the way into the apartment, glad she’d vacuumed the floors yesterday. Her dining table was just inside the doorway; her living room split into two parts to serve as both rooms. A half wall separated the kitchen from the living space, and Thayne headed to it without hesitation.

“I hope grilled baby red potatoes and medium rare steak is okay.” His grin didn’t leave his face as Thayne made himself at home opening cupboards in the kitchen. “I cooked everything the way I like it, and brought fresh salad, too.”

“I’m not picky.” She opened the carrier and took out her latest foster cat.

The black and white kitten meowed pitifully, past ready for her dinner. At least she was up to eating again. The poor thing had been half-starved and too weak to move when Thayne first brought her into the clinic.

Without warning, the heat of Thayne’s chest pressed against Laura’s back, his arms reaching around her as he stroked the kitten’s neck. “She looks better. I didn’t think she would live when I pulled her out of that drainage ditch.”

Laura’s heart pounded hard, feeling like it hit her breastbone. What was he doing? This didn’t feel friendly. It felt... good. So good. Even while afraid she might pass out from a panic attack,

she wanted to lean against Thayne’s chest and lose herself in some human contact. In his contact.

She forced herself to take a step forward, though her betraying body rebelled, craving his warmth. “She’s lucky you found her when you did. It was nearly too late. Vicky put her on IV fluids, and we got some food in her. I think she’ll be fine and make a good pet for someone once she’s fully recovered. I need to feed her before trying your steak.” Kitten talk. That’s safe. That’s friendly.

“Well, hurry. I can’t wait to give it to you.” Thayne winked and turned back into the kitchen.

Burying her face into the kitten’s soft fur, Laura tried to hide her blushes. This wasn’t working. Thayne didn’t intend to stay friends, obviously. How long could she hold out? He was perfect. Everything a girl could want. Why couldn’t he be a nice accountant or retail store manager? Something safe where she’d never have to fear getting a call from his boss to tell her he died? Vicky’s advice was to sleep with him and forget her ‘silly rules.’ But Vicky didn’t know what Laura went through seven years ago.

Going into the kitchen, Laura gave Thayne a wide berth as she snuck past him on her way to the refrigerator. She set the kitten on the floor and opened the door, pulling out the half-empty can of food.

“Did you give her a name?” Thayne asked.

Laura grabbed a cat dish from the cupboard and shook her head. “I don’t like to get too attached. I’ll only have her for a few weeks, and she’ll go to a new home. They can name her. I call her Kitty—I call them all Kitty.”

“I like Snips. I used to have a cat named Snips when I was a kid. Sort of looked like Kitty.”

“Then maybe you should adopt her.” Laura gave Kitty her food, standing up to find Thayne only inches away.

He ran his hand over her temple, pushing the hair back from her face. “I wish I could have a cat, but I work long hours, and she’d be lonely and hungry by the time I got home. I’d need myself a partner who could help take care of her.” He leaned in even closer, and Laura smelled mint on his breath. “Since we’re friends, maybe you can help me find the right girl. Someone to raise Snips with.”

Gulping, Laura was sure Thayne would kiss her. Even though she admitted when accepting the dinner that a kiss might happen sometime before the night was through, she hadn’t expected it this fast.

“Sure. Friends do that kind of stuff.” She put her hands against his chest and pushed him away gently. “Maybe I can help. What’s your type of girl?” Things had to stay friendly. Either that or she’d need her anti-anxiety pills. She already felt like she needed to change her panties.

Thayne shrugged and turned back to dishing up their plates. “You.”

We all need a hero! Preferably a hot, muscled, romantic one who's not afraid to fight for the woman he loves. From firefighters to athletes, and artists to rockers, these swoon-worthy heroes will keep you on your toes and weak in your knees. Slip into a reading adventure that will have you panting for more: fun, steam, and thrills.

Authors include:

Jade Kerrion, Chantel Rhondeau,

Rachelle Ayala, Lyssa Lane,

Michele Shriver, P.C. Zick, K.S. Thomas,

Stacy Eaton, Melinda Curtis, Jennifer

Saints, and Julie Leto

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PWXGA1I

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PWXGA1I/

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00PWXGA1I

Amazon UA: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00PWXGA1I

B&N US: http://bit.ly/1ACSwnK

B&N UK: http://bit.ly/1If3Rzk

Apple iBooks: http://bit.ly/1BOJLLC

KOBO: http://bit.ly/11EUWWz

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1p2WAfy

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1F2mrGD

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Sunday, December 7, 2014

Heroes To Swoon For ~ Aroused

Recently divorced, Dr. Vera Rios is too busy being a single parent to look for love. Along comes a man who cherishes her, adores her daughter, and helps her find her sexy groove. The only problem: He’s an escort, with far too many secrets. Will love cost Vera her daughter’s safety?

Vera pulled out her cell phone and glanced at the digital clock. She was on time, and Rowan was nowhere in sight. He had not called either. Was he late, or had he changed his mind? She would not be surprised if he had. She supposed she should have felt relieved, but she did not. The hollow sensation in the pit of her stomach felt more like loss.

“Hey, Vera!”

Her gaze shot toward the four men on the beach volleyball court next to the

playground. “Rowan?”

He waved at her, tossed the volleyball he was holding to his partner, and then ran

over to her.

Vera’s jaw dropped, but she managed to catch herself before she drooled. Rowan wore only sunglasses and swimming trunks. Sweat glistened on the tanned skin of his muscled chest and sharply defined abdomen. Por Dios! He was magnificent—in fact, several levels of magnificent over the other athletic men on the court.

He grinned as he approached her. “Sorry, I came down early—didn’t want to miss you—then got invited to round up a foursome.” He glanced over his shoulder at the three men waiting patiently for him. “It’ll be another twenty minutes or so, if you don’t mind.”

Would she mind an opportunity to ogle his incredible, near-naked body for twenty minutes? Vera waved her hand. “No, not at all.” She managed not to squeak.

Allison was content to sit in the sand and make a mess with her bucket and spade, which left Vera ample time and opportunity to watch Rowan play beach volleyball. He was not the best player among the four, but he was competent enough to hold his own. The real pleasure came from seeing his perfectly built body exert itself with flawless strength and grace.

A crowd—mostly women—soon gathered to watch the game. It did not require significant powers of observation for Vera to note that the ladies were mostly watching Rowan. When the game ended, he was immediately approached by svelte young women with sun-streaked hair and tiny bikinis. Dazzling smiles turned in his direction. Coy looks flirted his way.

Rowan’s response was an absent-minded smile as he grabbed his towel and discarded shirt off the sand and made his way toward her. The women who stalked him were subtly brushed off. Smiles turned into pouts. Rowan apparently noticed neither. Vera held back an amused smile. He had crowd management down to an art form.

It didn’t make sense, though, did it? Why would an escort shun the attention of women? In fact, the more she thought about it, the less the facts about Rowan added up.

She pushed her doubts aside and smiled up at him. “Good game.”

“Yes, it was. Sorry, I kept you waiting.”

“Not a problem.” She unzipped the cooler. “Water or juice?”

“Just water. Thanks.” He sat down beside her. Their fingers brushed as the bottle changed hands.

Vera inhaled deeply and tried not to shudder. Medical school grounded her in the knowledge that androstenol, the scent produced by fresh male sweat, was attractive to females. What medical school had not taught her was what to do about it, especially when it emanated off a body that would have made classical Greek and Roman sculptures drool with jealousy. To distract herself, she looked around. She was once again the target of envious female stares. “You deal with that often?” she asked.

“What?” Rowan’s gaze followed hers. It swept over clusters of attractive women

without breaking its figurative stride.

She shook her head. “You really don’t notice it, do you?”

“Notice what?”

“Never mind.”

He shrugged. “I should rinse off before I put my shirt back on. How cold is the water

this time of year?”

“Too cold for native Floridians, but likely just about perfect for New Yorkers.” She pressed her lips together. No, don’t rinse off. Yes, rinse off. You are too damned distracting.

“Be right back.” He pushed to his feet, dusted sand off his swimming trunks, and jogged to the edge of the surf. He waded into the ocean, dipped his head under the water for several moments, and then broke the surface.

A demigod rose out of the sea, water droplets caressing his body as they streamed down the length of his muscles. His skin glistened as sunlight reflected off the moisture on his skin.

Vera groaned and buried her face in her hands. That hadn’t helped one bit. He was far more distracting now. She managed to plaster a shaky smile back on her face by the time he returned to her side. Next to her, Allison looked up from her sand toys and flashed a toothy grin. “Roan!”

He ruffled her blond curls. “Hi, Alli-Astronaut.”

“Alli-naut,” she repeated. She held up her spade. “Play!”

“I’ve got her if you want to chill out and sunbathe or read,” he said.

Sunbathing and reading both sounded tempting, but not nearly as much as the pleasure of watching Rowan interact with her daughter. As he built a sandcastle, he discussed the importance of fortifications, ramparts, moats, and towers with Allison, who nodded with approval and said, “More!”

Vera chuckled. “I’m guessing you don’t deal much with young kids.”

Rowan shrugged. “My only nephew is ten.”

“Do you see him often?”

“Not as often as I like.”

He did not elaborate, and Vera sensed the topic was off-limits. Had his family disowned him when he decided to be an escort? “I’m an only child,” she said. “My parents died when I was sixteen.”

“Was that why you married your ex-husband?”

Vera inhaled sharply. “I…I guess so, though I never really thought of it that way before.”

“How did you think of it before?”

“That I was in love. That we were in love.”

“Were you happy with him at first?”

She looked up and fixed her gaze on the horizon. It was easier than looking into Rowan’s amber eyes that promised to unravel her every secret.