Blurb
In a pirate’s
lair, nothing is as it seems . . .
Shipwrecked!
When Royce Hastings is found washed up on
the shore of a verdant tropical island, he tells the natives he is a
merchant headed for Mozambique. The truth, however, is far more
mercenary. Noble by birth, the once favored Royce has lost his
fortune and family; now he is a hired henchman on the trail of an
elusive pirate. His “shipwreck” was a fake. He’ll stop at
nothing to infiltrate the island and capture his prey. His mother and
sisters’ lives depend on it.
The last thing
Royce expects is to be captured himself. But the lovely young woman
who tends to his wounds in the tropics quickly takes hold of his
heart. Simone is the island’s healer, and her skilled ministrations
not only awaken his soul but disturb his conscience. His path has
been predetermined; his identity must remain concealed at all costs.
Yet the passion he feels in Simone’s sultry, loving arms cannot be
denied. With his loyalties torn, Royce must make an agonizing,
unthinkable choice. . . .
“The
story is brimming with risqué retorts and searing sex scenes.”
—Publishers
Weekly
on
Passionate
Pursuit
Excerpt
Quietly,
Simone slipped inside the room. Philippe wasn’t outside, nor was
Adamo. Either Tristan had said a watch wasn’t necessary any longer
or the current guard had fallen asleep on the forest floor.
Bacon
hung from Royce’s mouth. He regarded Simone’s breasts, new cloth,
and brushed hair. Sin burned in his eyes.
She
padded to him, pulse racing. His bed-mussed hair showed her how he’d
look once he enjoyed her. She fought her urge to smooth back the
strands. “Bonjour.”
He
made a noise that sounded aroused.
Her
heart beat faster. “Finish your bacon, please. While you eat, I
should change the sheet.”
He
chewed quickly, swallowed, and lifted his face, his lips nearly
grazing her breast.
She
couldn’t imagine anything more pleasant than his mouth on her. “You
can sit in the chair while I tend the bed. Let me help you to it.”
She slipped her arm around his middle.
He
favored his uninjured leg, brow furrowing, breath coming hard and
fast.
She
stroked his bandaged thigh. “Does it hurt?”
“Bloody
right it does.”
He
pressed her against the wall, imprisoning her wrists, his length
molded to hers. “You’re driving me mad. I can’t take any more
of this. I won’t.”
He
slanted his mouth over hers.
She
surrendered willingly, joyously, accepting his tongue, melting into
him.
His
savage growl told her all she needed to know. He desired her.
She’d
never been more alive.
His
touch branded her soul, claiming it, marking her forever. She twisted
free from his hold and wreathed her arms around his shoulders, her
fingers buried in his silken hair to keep him near.
Their
greedy and wild kiss turned tender and slow.
She
ground her hips into his, needing to be closer.
He
held her so tightly nothing could come between them. Boldly, he
cupped her breast.
Pleasure
sped from every direction, filling her.
Forever
wouldn’t have been long enough to enjoy him. He tasted salty from
the bacon and glorious from a flavor that was his alone. His bristly
cheeks rasped hers, the mild sting encouraging her to yield further.
She longed to wake up each morning to him and this.
They
only had now.
Whatever
the future brought, Simone refused to dwell on loss. She’d
willingly belong to him for a moment rather than have no time at all.
In two or three months, she’d say good-bye. Not today.
A
fist pounded on the door.
She
flinched.
Royce
tore his mouth free and limped to the footboard, too far away from
her.
About
Tina
2 comments:
Congratulations on the new release, Tina!
I didn't expect to run into characters I already knew!
Thanks, Lisabet! Thanks for hosting me today. :)
Post a Comment
Let me know your thoughts! (And if you're having trouble commenting, try enabling third-party cookies in your browser...)