Saturday, September 6, 2014

Favorite Sex Scenes and Sharacters

By Alisa Anderson (Guest Blogger)



I’m Alisa Anderson, author of the Give and Receive Series, and co-author of the Fallen Angel Series. Thanks for having me today!


I love ménages scenes. They will forever remain some of my favorites. I have always been a greedy, selfish kind of bitch, never wanting to have to choose between two yummy, scrumdiddlyumptious men, but wanting all focus on me. The ultimate head trip, eh?


In fact, my philosophy is you can never have too many men. There is always a reason for more men in the bedroom, lol. If you’re otherwise occupied, they can at least be a feast on the eyes as they please each other, both for your enjoyment and for theirs. (Yours most of all though. After all, it’s your fantasy, right? *grins*)


I also love the idea of being on display for someone else. There’s something so fantastic, titillating, forbidden, not to mention arrogant, about performing knowing someone else is watching, getting off while you do the same. It’s a heady, hedonistic, thoroughly wanton feeling, knowing you have that kind of power. Definitely a complete rush. 


In my novella series Give and Receive, this is one of my favorite scenes with Ty, Danny and Lena. What I love most of all is there is no actual fucking. There is so much tension in the air, you can almost taste the promise of what’s to come, and trust when I say, if you stay tuned for books II and III, it does deliver the just desserts.


I would have to say Lena is by far one of my favorite characters I’ve created. She is so completely self-absorbed and nuts you just never know what’s going to come out of her mouth.


She’s totally down for her dude. Territorial and possessive as well, she guards what is hers very carefully and woe to the bitch stupid enough to step to her. More than a little nuts, aggressive, combative, loyal, generous to a fault, loud and totally flawed. Human, for the most part, lol. Someone almost everyone can see either some of themselves in, or someone they would one day like to be. Or maybe someone they have nightmares about meeting in real life. That might be ok too. At least you’ll never forget her. *grins*


Ty might have to be my pick for favorite hero. He always gets his girl…cept when he doesn’t, lol. He would lay down his life and die for her. She’s the first thing on his mind when he wakes up and the last thing on his mind when he goes to sleep. Nothing else in life matters but her happiness and he would do anything, say anything, kill anyone (Danny, for sure, lol) to make sure she stays that way.


Dramatic, I know. But what can I say? We women want it all.

And besides all that, he’s just so damn wild and unpredictable. You know whatever you guys do together, you’ll probably be stumbling in at 5am looking disheveled. Rode hard, and put away wet, as my one friend Rona used to always say.

So what about you guys? What types of scenes and characters get you all riled? Leave a comment below! 
 




Give and Take by Alisa Anderson

Blurb  

Young, talented, ambitious. Wild.

Three friends, who struggled for fortune and fame, have finally found themselves thrust into mega-stardom.

What is right if there is no wrong…

For Ty, Lena and Danny, they're about to find out as they cross the boundaries from all things safe to an arena testing love, friendship and loyalty. An arena that's forbidden, taboo…and oh so tempting.

They’re riding hard and fast in a world where sex, money, love and rock and roll are all a game of give and receive, where any wish can be granted if you just ask...

Open, honest and raw, this is a rare glimpse of what happens behind the fortune and the fame, beyond the limelight, past the adulation and acclaim.

Welcome...to the real.

Excerpt

Her laughter faded, realizing where they found themselves.

Again.

She gradually became aware of him staring at her. With that unfathomable expression she never could decipher.

“I should go, Ty…before anything else happens we regret.” She cleared her throat.

“Not that anything happened before. Because it didn’t. But if it did…which it didn’t…let’s not do something we’ll both regret tomorrow.”

“I understand you feel that way. I can even empathize with your plight. But I suppose that’s the difference between you and me.”

Ty leaned forward.

“I don’t regret this.”

He glanced up. Catching her gaze and holding it. Taking her in his mouth. Sucking her swollen clit with bruising intensity. Lena whimpered, her body taking control. Shoving herself into his face. Using her hands. Pushing him down deeper. Further.

She tangled her hands in his soft hair, yanking it. Smothering him. Pressing herself against his mouth.

He was suffocating. Couldn’t breathe. But stopping was not an option. Fucking her with his mouth, like his life depended on it, was.

She ground into him with brutal force. Ty groaned against her. Licking, twirling, circling his tongue around her clit. Drawing the fleshy lips of her labia into his mouth as well.

He bit down on her flesh, sliding his fingers inside her. Two fingers, then three.

“Release it, baby. Let me taste that cream. Jesus Fucking Christ…you feel so good in my mouth, Lena…give it all to me.”

He sucked her back into his mouth, squeezing her ass. Ramming her against his lips, into his mouth. Like he couldn’t get enough of her.

She finally cried out. Emitting a strangled, tortured sound. The force of her orgasm hitting fast, and sharp.

Ty continued lapping her up. Swallowing every last bit of precious nectar. The more he licked, the more the fire in her belly grew. She came, harder than before. Straight into his waiting, open mouth.

“Ok, Enough. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

“Enough of what?” Ty asked, delving into her wetness once more. Placing soft kisses on her mound of damp curls.

Lena moaned, low and urgent. Resisting the impulse to move her hips over his. Feel him surge into her.

Like she wanted him to do all night long.

Wait…no. Dammit. No.
“Enough…of this. Stop it. I don’t want you to touch me.” Lena’s voice caught, uneven. She took a steadying breath. Calming herself.

“Liar.” Ty laughed.

She couldn’t believe she let him do this.

Again.

For the first time, she meant.


Author Bio

well...alisa did stuff and is still doing stuff. only now she has two boys crazy enuff to want her as their mommy. hey, at least she tried to warn them, so her job is done.

she doesn’t like to capitalize, partially because she likes how lower case letters look visually, but mostly out of laziness. please don't judge. it could be you. and she would say, hey. you're alright, buddy. you're ok in my book. now c'mere for a hug. the hug might be pushing it. air kiss? you are strangers, after all, with only a mutual love of poor grammar.
​
she lives for a world full of controllable anatomically correct, android men programmed to meet her specific feminine needs (wink, wink, nudge, nudge with a big waggle of the eyebrows). who look like the rock. and ian somerhalder. and idris elba. and that's it she promises. variety. gotta have variety, right?
​
but alas...apparently that exists only in johanna lindsey's genius mind. so until then, she enjoys her incredibly warped sense of humor. she reads tons of erotica and romantic, drippy goo that makes her heart go pitter patter. then she thought, hey. what, she said to herself. (softly, of course, so no one finds out she is indeed, 2 nuts short of a fruitcake) maybe you should write this stuff too.


maybe someone will like it and maybe buy it. so she said, huh, you think? then she said, well...yeah, i wouldn't have suggested it...(inserts sarcastic tone) and then she was like lose the attitude, ok? then she was all, would you just shut up and write, already? sheesh! and she did. :)

Does your mother know what you’re reading?

Buy Links: Amazon



Friday, September 5, 2014

Cover Reveal: Wine Service by Zenobia Renquist





Title: Wine Service (Professional Courtesy 1)

Author: Zenobia Renquist

Publisher: Musa Publishing, Eros

Genre: Contemporary Erotica, BDSM, MF, MFM


Blurb

She offers satisfaction above and beyond what is requested.

Lexie's job as a housekeeper at a five-star hotel doesn't normally include the unique and risqué form of room service that important hotel guest Mr. Malena has requested, nor the generous tip he's offered. Lexie can't resist, and what should have been a one-time thing turns into an introduction into the sensual world of customer satisfaction. She finds much enjoyment in her "work," but is it worth risking her job?

Story Tidbit

I know next to nothing about wine. Big surprise that, right? I did learn what I like and what I don’t like while living in California near wine country. I prefer whites to reds but I’m fond of sweet late harvest and dessert wines more than any others. Of course my tastes made it into the story with a little help of some online research to find a “reasonable” price for an expensive wine. Besides, red wine stains and I didn’t want to make work for my heroine.

Excerpt

“You’re welcome.” She pushed to a standing position and then bent to pick up the bottle and put it back in its ice bucket. “I should get back to work.”

“Not so fast.” Mr. Malena stood and tossed her thong toward one of the nightstands. “We’re not finished.”

Lexie backed up a step.

“Now, now. Don’t be frightened. Nothing untoward. I promise.”

She snorted. “What exactly is your definition of untoward? I just rode a bottle for your wanking pleasure.”

“That’s all part of wine service. As is what comes next.”

“Next?”

“I didn’t bring it up last night because of how skittish you were, but there is more to it than stuffing that beautiful pussy of yours with a five-hundred-dollar bottle of Chardonnay.”

“Five hun—” She choked on the word. She’d been riding a bottle of Chardonnay that cost five hundred dollars. True, she knew nothing about wines or why one cost more than another—beyond age—but hadn’t known a single bottle could cost five hundred dollars.

“Yes. In honor of you and your first night. I thought it appropriate a five hundred dollar woman should ride a five hundred dollar bottle.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Does it get you hot to think about it?”

“You’re insane,” she said, laughing. “You’re also joking.”

“I’m not. Call Franceska if you don’t believe me.” He gestured to the phone.

She looked at the bottle and then at him. “Five hundred dollars?”

“Yes.”

“Wow.” She’d never had anything that expensive between her legs. Her most expensive toy had barely broken the two hundred mark, and here she’d used a five hundred dollar bottle of Chardonnay to get off. “So what else is there? Sex, right?”

“If you want, but not what I had in mind right this instance.” He chuckled. “I’m not as spry as I used to be. I need a little more time to regain my stamina.”

“You look plenty spry to me.” She eyed his semi-erect dick. It hadn’t gone limp after he came. A few well-placed licks would probably have it hard again in an instant.

“Bless you, dear girl. You are good for my ego.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back. “Now then. After riding the bottle comes drinking the wine.”

Get your copy of this deliciously transgressive book today!


Author Bio

Zenobia Renquist is an Air Force brat turned Air Force wife. She and her husband are owned by two demanding cats of the long-haired persuasion. Born in Europe and currently stationed in Hawaii, Zenobia has been traveling all her life. "Where are you from?" is not a question she likes to be asked but will usually answer Virginia, because it's the one place that feels like home.

Zenobia's stories range from steamy to scorching and she writes whichever genre catches her interest at the time. When not coming up with ways to torture her characters, she enjoys knitting and crochet (both regular and Tunisian) as well as reading shoujo and yaoi manga.

Learn More About Zenobia Renquist:






Thursday, September 4, 2014

The Tour is Over - The Tour is About to Begin....

I've drawn the winners in my early download blog tour for The Ingredients of Bliss.



First prize ($30 GC for Sur La Table) goes to Trix - who really deserves it because she visited every single stop on the tour!

Second prize ($20 GC to Whole Foods Market) was won by Michelle.

Third prize (three from my back list) belongs to John, who joined the tour at Kryssie Fortune's stop. 

Jen Wright and K.D. Grace tied for the author with the most comments. I'll be sending each of them a $5 GC from Totally Bound.

And finally, I've sent out copies of my cookbook to everyone who entered who left an email address. If you want a copy and haven't received one yet, leave a comment on this post or contact me by email.

Now that we've got that out of the way.... I have another blog tour for this book starting next week! This one is being run by Totally Bound, so I know it will be awesome. (They have lots more people to help with marketing!)



The tour runs from September 10th to September 17th, and concludes with a huge Facebook party as well as events on Goodreads.

I will be posting the schedule soon. But if you like to read steamy, emotionally satisfying erotic romance, you will not want to miss this event!


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Sanctuaries of Love

By Anna Watson and Alicia Wag


Anna just devoured Devil’s Wake and Domino Falls by wife/husband team Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes, YA zombie lovefests where ok, there are one or two white characters, but most of the movers and shakers are Black, American Indian or Latina (and BONUS: the Latina character is a femme! she will fuck you up with her Glock, too).

Alicia goes back for comfort to Mary Stewart’s Merlin trilogy, over and over.

People, can we agree that there’s just something about genre?

Anna’s mother-in-law swears that there are certain stories we need to hear again and again. For her butch daughter, Anna’s spouse, those stories really should contain dragons and fierce battles against the forces of evil. Alicia dives into magic and fate and, hell yes, bring on some dragons and fierce battles against the forces of evil. For Anna, an apocolypse, zombie or otherwise, is just the thing, or maybe some vampires or werewolves or deep space drama.

So much of the time, however, the only stories getting told, even in these genres, are those of the straight, white majority, so we have to contort ourselves to find ourselves while we’re just trying to get a little comfort from the ur-stories that speak to us directly where we are. That’s asking a lot when you just want to plop down in your favorite reading spot and whooooosh yourself away for a few moments!

Due and Barnes have taken matters into their own hands, not only putting out their fantastic triology (waiting on that third book, you two!!) but finding a way to produce a Domino Falls movie, directed by a Black woman and starring Black actors. Take that, World War Z!

Currently, Black Girl Dangerous is doing a Privilege Bucket Challenge to bring attention to and counteract the way white voices drown out all others in the mainstream media. It’s not just the news outlets, of course, where white voices blah blah blah incessently, it’s everywhere. Up close and personal in the places we go seeking comfort, like graphic novels, science fiction sagas, door stopper fantasy tomes and yes, erotica. The pause that should refresh, unfortunately, can be more of an ass kicker for those of us who aren’t straight and white and male. And even those of us who are straight or white or male benefit from hearing another take on things.

We all need sanctuaries of love.

A genetically modified vampire of color here, a brave girl on an adventure into the mysterious everything there, and a female, feminist, warrior who runs into queers now and again even – we gather around us the stories that support and refresh us. Remind of us of who we are, who we would like to be, and, most importantly, reassure us that the world is, after all, filled with wonder and it is good to be here. We raise our sleepy, satiated eyes from the last paragraph, somehow ready again to dive into the trenches and do what needs to be done.

Which at last, brings us to Laz-E-Femme Press and our first publication, a Lust Double of sex/y stories. Sacchi speaks eloquently about this much-maligned genre in her earlier post and we would like to continue by pointing out that to provide the comfort, the sanctuary of good genre, erotica or other, is as radical an act as any fiery expose or news story. Not better, not worse – we need all of those voices, and we need all of those different kinds of stories. And we all need to rest. Really rest. Not “if-I-squinch-my-eyes-and-look-sideways-maybe-I-can-get-through” kind of resting, but real relaxation. We all need to see rich possibility, know worlds where the dominant paradigm has been resoundingly denied. We need to be able to find places we can trust to provide that necessary gift.

Alicia and Anna hope Laz-E-Femme Press will be one of those places. Slaphappy and Mrs. M put a few more erotica stories out there that aren’t misogynistic or poorly written, that aren’t so damn straight they boot you out the door (good erotica should cast a wide net) and that, despite being written by a couple of white ladies, allow room for different ages, identities, non-white and non-upper/middle class characters.

Hot, too. We should mention that the stories are hot!

Coming soon from Laz-E-Femme Press are novels, Tasty by Anna and At Your Service by Alicia. Talk to us on facebook, tell us who you are and what you’re looking for, send us links and suggestions, and most importantly: kick off your pumps and read!

Consuela by Alicia Wag

That warm day in May, Consuela led me to the ice cream shop, where she ordered a chocolate cone for herself and a cherry vanilla one for me. She carried both to a table and nodded at the chair I was to use. I parked my hot ass down, and watched Consuela take the seat across from me. When she handed me the cone, I was salivating.

I held it, waiting for her to tell me what to do. I was already with the program, without even knowing what the hell the program was. Consuela told me later I was a natural, whispered it wet into my ear, biting vigorously on my earlobe, after fucking my brains out with the biggest dildo she could find.

She rolled out her tongue first, showing it to me. It was long and pink, and curled at the tip. She brought the cold, wet ice cream to bear on the length of it, licking over and over, never taking her eyes off me.

Once she had the cone good and licked, she reached across the table and shoved it in my mouth, hard, so that I had to bite it to keep it from choking me. I laughed into the ice cream. I was loving it, even the shock of cold in my mouth and the pain in my teeth.
-------------------------------------
September Song by Anna Watson

After supper, Ruthie went to the freezer and got dessert.

“I love ice cream,” said Sol as he spooned it up.

Ruthie smiled. “I know.” She leaned over and licked some from his lips.

“I’ve been wanting to do that ever since Toscanini’s,” she said. He sat very still. She left her chair, knelt beside him on the floor, and put her head on his lap. At once, she felt his big hand on her hair and he stroked and stroked. She moved between his legs and pressed her body against his chest and belly and crotch. She reached up under his sweater and felt his nipples through his thin undershirt—they were sagging some, but so what. We all sag eventually. She put her hand on his belly and felt the hair around his belly button. She moved her hand and Sol sighed.

“It feels good when you rub,” he said softly, so she rubbed there, and then she rubbed lower. “You’d better stop. I don’t know what will happen.”

She looked up at his face. He was an old man. His cheeks were red, covered with tiny broken capillaries, and his eyes watered.

“I’m an old man,” he said, and Ruthie said, “But can you still get it up?”

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

A Charity Event After My Own Heart

Probably you have read about the latest charity stunt, the Ice Bucket Challenge. In case you've been on Mars and missed this, the IBC involves dumping a bucket of ice and water over your head, then challenging someone else to do the same, or else to donate $100 to charity (initially to research on ALS - Lou Gehrig's disease - though that has since been broadened). The IBC has involved dozens of celebrities, from Bill Gates to Lady Gaga, and has raised millions of dollars.

However, yesterday I read about another charity activity that sounded like something I'd dream up in one of my novels. In the Boob Aid event, nine Japanese actresses working in the adult film business offered up their breasts to eager fans, in return for donations to AIDS research and treatment. As you can tell by the photo, an enjoyable time was had by all - a grope for good, you might say. (What impresses me is how wholesome these ladies all look!) Anyway, I think it's a fabulous idea. Give the fans a chance to live out a bit of  fantasy, and support the eradication of a disease that, let's face it, has made sex much less fun.

Speaking of AIDS charities - if you want to help the cause without undergoing any groping, pick up a copy of the latest Coming Together Presents collection, edited by me and featuring the hot, literate erotica of Canadian author and poet Amanda Earl.  The book is available at All Romance Ebooks,  Amazon, CreateSpace and Smashwords  (hopefully Barnes and Noble will get it up soon, too), in both ebook and print forms. All proceeds from its sale go to GMHC.org, dedicated to care and ultimate cure for this devastating disease. (Neither the author nor the editor receive any compensation from sales - other than the same satisfaction the porn queens can enjoy!)


You want an excerpt? Of course you do.  Here's a bit from one of my favorite stories "Real Irish",  about rollicking threesome:


I stood outside Serene's door for a full minute, trying to catch my breath, my jugs jiggling as my heart battered hard inside my low-cut dress. I was crazy nervous. My hands quivered as I lifted the brass knocker and clacked it against the door one…two…and three. Serene answered the door wrapped in a black silk peignoir with matching feather boa around her neck.

“C'min darling. Join the party.”

She handed me a tumbler of Scotch and I took a deep draught before doing anything else. The heat of the booze burned right through me, fortifying me with liquid courage. I removed my coat.

“Hubba hubba,” said a voice, in lovely Irish brogue.

Patrick was there already, a towel around his waist.

He looked over my curvy red body with a delighted leer.

“I feel like the big bad wolf and you're my little Red,” he said.

Serene laughed.

A frisson of jealousy ran through me.

“So have you two started without me? Should I leave you alone?”

“Not on your life, honey pie,” Serene said, her voice throaty with desire as she reached for me and gave me a deep kiss, her tongue thrusting into my mouth. Patrick started caressing my back, kissing along my shoulders. In the background I could hear Dinah singing “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”

“Time we got you out of that dress.” His fingers found the zipper at the top of my spine and slowly lowered it. He kneeled and kissed the dimples above my ass while Serene pulled down the bodice.

“Give us a hand, Patrick. Undo Daphne's bra. I want to lick those fine tits. Wait until you get a gander – they're beauties.”

“Mmm,” Patrick murmured as he reached up and expertly undid the clasp at my bra. I blushed as the cool air hit my nipples and made them even harder.

Serene leaned down and took a nipple in her mouth. Patrick came round the front and caressed my other breast. He'd removed the towel. His cock was cut and hard. I reached for it, letting go of my inhibitions and yielding to the hunger coursing through me.

******

Now - admit it. Aren't you tempted?

Especially when it's for such a good cause?

Monday, September 1, 2014

My Precarious Foray into Historical Erotic Humor

By Diane Scott Lewis


Back in the old days, before the internet (cringe) I decided to become an author...I mean, how hard could it be? I took a pen name since my real name was the same as a woman who had just posed for Playboy Magazine. I didn’t want anyone to confuse me with her—my husband is still laughing hysterically over that one. It took me much-longer-than-I-thought-necessary (and those piles of rejections) before accomplishing publication.

Since then I’ve had five historical novels published.

Later on, I was curious (jealous) of a young author who was making millions on an erotic novel called Fifty Shades of Grey, so I thought, since I write historicals, why not pen a historical parody of this story? Little did I know at the time that several others had already written parodies of this book; but I believed I could give it a new prospective. 

I’d researched the eighteenth century for many years, even perusing rare books at the Library of Congress. Now, I prided myself on being somewhat of an expert on the later eighteenth century, the 1780s through 1790s. The majority of my novels take place in this period, and none are romantic fluff; I like to reveal the seedier side of those bygone days. Thus, I thought how perfect to set my naughty novella in this era. I wanted it to be very much tongue-in-cheek, but using the restrictions, class-system, etc. of the time.

I set the story at a sprawling manor house in England, with an uppity matron, her distracted husband, and the matron’s guest—her extremely handsome and lascivious brother. Into this mix, I put a naive young woman, a pastor’s daughter, who arrives to work as a maidservant.

First I tried self-publishing, but that didn’t get me very far. I didn’t sell those millions I dreamt of, and still didn’t own my villa in Italy, or chateau in France. Then, after finding my wonderful new publisher, who at the time did erotica, I decided to submit it to them. The novella was accepted and published.

Now for the perils of marketing. I am a member of a huge group that caters to authors of English-set historical fiction, and we are allowed to promote on the site. I was a fairly new member, so I blithely posted my link and talked about my story. Immediately (and I’m not exaggerating here) I was scolded, and warned, that this site does not and never will promote erotica. I withdrew my links, tucked my tail between my legs, and was prepared to be booted out of the group. However, the very kind moderator talked me out of leaving, though I’m certain other members still cyberly stare aghast at me.

Everyone who has read it thinks the story is hilarious. Even a very famous author read an excerpt and called it “very funny.” I won’t name her since I don’t have her permission to quote her. But be assured, she’s extremely famous.

I still don’t have my villa or chateau, but I love writing historicals, and had a blast creating my parody.
Following is a blurb and excerpt from: Miss Grey’s Shady Lover

In this erotic, tongue-in-cheek parody of a bestselling novel, Anya Grey enters service at Pretentious Hall in the eighteenth century. She meets brooding, dangerous, but strikingly handsome, Lord Libidinous who soon involves her in a sultry, sexual relationship to soothe his damaged soul. Prepare to laugh, and sigh, at their sexy, and explicitly steamy, antics.



Excerpt

The glass of pale yellowish Canary wine sat before her in its crystal goblet. Several times Anya went to pick it up, but pulled back her nervous hand. Perhaps she’d beg Pip to take the drink to his lordship, but then he might threaten to discharge her for disobeying his order. No man had ever made her feel this out of sorts.

With a deep breath, she plucked up the glass, put it on a small silver salver, and walked down the dark, wood-paneled corridor. Candles flickered in sconces, giving off the faint smell of beeswax and smoke.

At the library door she scratched, then heard a resonant “come in.”

Shoulders back, she entered the room. A fire crackled in the marble hearth to her left. Books lined the many shelves in cases against the walnut paneled walls. A polished desk sat to her right. The room was dim, shadows everywhere. She froze in place.

Lord Libidinous sat in a leather wing-backed chair near the fire. He looked up and waved her over. He glanced at his gold pocket-watch. “Ten minutes past ten. I’d nearly given up on you, Miss Grey.” He spoke almost languidly while her muscles tensed.

She approached unsteadily and stood before him, the salver tight in her grip. “Here is your wine, as you requested, sir.”

“Ah, you are an obedient girl, aren’t you?” He smiled, the firelight glistening off his white teeth. “Set it on the table.”

She bent and set the salver on the low table with a click. “Will that be all, sir?” Grateful for the kerchief around her neck that hid her voluptuous cleavage, a sight she’d allowed no man to see, she prayed he’d send her on her way now.

He picked up the glass and took a slow sip. “You disappoint me, Miss Grey. I thought we were going to have a lengthy discourse.”

Anya straightened and smoothed down her apron. She also smoothed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, another annoying habit she had trouble overcoming.

“What would you care to discuss with me, a mere servant?”

His eyes flashed with humor. “The war in the colonies, the disruptions in Parliament, or why does an educated young woman work as a kitchen maid? There are so many topics to converse on, don’t you think?”

She avoided his intense gaze. “My father, the vicar, said before his untimely death, that too many good men are dying in America, the taxes are too high here to support the war, and Parliament is split over the war and taxes. As for me, I need the wages, sir.”

His lordship laughed and slapped his knee. “By God, you are an amusing creature, Miss Grey. Of course, education is often wasted on women, who should be comforts to their husbands and raise his children.” He leaned back in the chair, watching her with a raised dark brow. “Why isn’t a comely woman like you married?”

“No one found me comely enough to marry, I suppose.” She caught his scrutiny and slid back a step. “I was known to be outspoken; perhaps that deterred any suitable swain for my hand.”

“Outspoken? I didn’t get that impression earlier.” He leaned forward, elbows on his elegant knees. “Or do I make you extremely nervous? I’ve been known to do that to the fairer sex.”

He was brash, insufferable, but still he drew her in a way she couldn’t explain. She stared at his sculptured mouth. “What else do you require, sir?”

“I require that you sit here beside me and keep me company.” He pulled over a stool, close to his left leg, and patted it.

“That would be highly improper, your lordship.” She slid back another step, her mouth as dry as that desert she’d never visited. “Lady Snoot would disapprove.”

“Never mind my sister. She’s gone to bed.” He again touched the chair, his gaze sharper. “Sit, Miss Grey. It wouldn’t look well on you to upset the new proprietor of the manor.”

Anya wanted to run for the door, but his dark eyes held her. A tingle started low in her abdomen, a sensation she’d never felt before. With stilted movements, she did as he ordered and sank onto the stool, careful not to brush his leg with hers. She gathered her skirt and petticoats close. “You are quite intimidating, sir. But I believe you enjoy being so.”

“I know what I want, that is all.” He nodded his elegant head. “And I was wrong about Biblical discussions. What do you know of Sodom and Gomorrah?”

“It was a city of great sin, and destroyed because of it.” She still hoped he’d send her out. Her hands shook at the mention of such a sinful place. “What if someone sees us? I can’t afford to lose my good character.”

“Since my dear sister’s husband is a milquetoast, and Bertha humors me, remember, I am the master here. And Lord Snoot knows that only too well.” Libidinous laced his long fingers together, his expression unreadable.

The danger from him seeped over her, but she couldn’t move. She clutched her hands in her lap, her heart racing like the curricle that had killed her father. “Since you have me cornered, what else would you care to discourse over or of?”

“Of you, Miss Grey. What do you enjoy in this blighted world?” His smile made her quiver, though he reminded her of a ravenous wolf.

“I like...flowers in the garden, the fresh smell of grass after a rain...” Under his intense stare she strained to remember anything else. “Chocolate is quite tasty.”

“Yes, yes, all very enjoyable.” He leaned farther forward and traced a finger along her wrist. “But do you like being touched in a certain way?”

Her skin tingled. “I...suppose that...it’s nice...very friendly...”

“What about being more than friendly?” He tugged at her kerchief. “I see you are a woman of suppressed passions.”

Her breath hitched and her hands flew up to stop him. “This is too friendly already, sir. And my passions are just fine where they are.”

He caressed the material, thus putting pressure on her bodice. “Are you afraid of pleasure, my innocent vicar’s daughter?”

Her stomach did a strange summersault and her breasts tingled. “I...don’t know. How would I know what I’ve never experienced? But I do feel this is very unseemly, though slightly gratifying.”
He chuckled, his fingers still caressing. “That is my point, my dear; I can show you pleasures you will never imagine. If you will trust me and only allow me to.”

A heaviness shifted low in her body. Her nipple puckered, stunning her. “I might not be ready to imagine them, sir.” She squirmed on the stool, which increased a strange pleasure down there.

About the Author

Diane Parkinson (Diane Scott Lewis) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, joined the Navy at nineteen, married and raised two sons. She writes book reviews for the Historical Novels Review and worked at The Wild Rose Press from 2007 to 2010 as a historical editor. She has three published historical novels: Elysium and The False Light. Her sequel to The False Light, Without Refuge, was released in March 2012. Her debut novel, The False Light, was re-released by Books We Love, re-titled Betrayed Countess, in 2013. Her erotic novel, Miss Grey’s Shady Lover, was also published in 2013. Her current release is a romantic satire, The Defiant Lady Pencavel and a historical adventure, Ring of Stone. She lives with her husband and dachshund in western Pennsylvania.


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