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The Gamble (Colorado Mountain #1)(9) Author: Kristen Ashley Before I could stop myself, I announced in a wistful voice, “I miss grape jelly.” His head twisted toward me and he had an expression on his face that looked like he thought I was funny at the same time he was slightly confused. “You miss grape jelly?” I took a sip of cranberry juice, surveyed the microwave but didn’t answer. Talking to him was taking a lot of concentration and energy, neither of which I had at that moment. It was weird, he was acting like I’d been there a year, like we were chums, like he didn’t practically throw me out of his house two days ago, like he liked me. You didn’t tease someone you didn’t like. At least that was what my mother told me years ago when I’d come home, complaining that all the boys teased me. She said boys teased girls they liked and, one thing I learned in life, my mother was rarely, if ever, wrong. Max decided to let it go too and dumped his eggs on the plate, turned off the bur...

The Gamble (Colorado Mountain #1)(14) Author: Kristen Ashley Now, it was dinnertime. I blew out my hair sleek, gunked it up with some stuff I liked that contained any fly-aways and then did my makeup. Not full-on Nina makeup since I was in the Colorado mountains and if makeup-less, mountain fresh Becca was anything to go by the girls in the Colorado mountains didn’t do full-on Nina makeup. I went light, I might have got some of my color back but not all of it and I needed a bit of help. Then I walked out of the bathroom, put away my stuff in my suitcase ever ready to escape, spritzed with perfume, put on some gold hoop earrings, a bunch of gold tinkly bracelets and wrapped a thin, lilac scarf edged with an inch of gold once around my neck, letting the long ends fall down the front. I pulled on some socks then my high-heeled tan boots. Then I stomped downstairs. “Ready,” I announced when I hit the bottom. Max was standing in the kitchen, looking like he was sorting through mail an...

Her Wicked Heart (Her Wicked Heart #1)(18) Author: Ember Casey Oh, God. What am I doing? Why am I putting myself through this? I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I knew I’d get angry. I knew it would bring up all sorts of memories. But somehow, I thought I would be strong enough. I drop my head between my knees. Breathe, I tell myself. Just breathe. In and out. It takes a few minutes, but I’m finally able to stop hyperventilating. I rest my cheek against my knee and wait for my heart to slow back to normal. “Ms. Thomas?” Crap. Mr. Haymore. I have no idea how long I’ve been down here, but it’s been a lot longer than it should have been. I stand up quickly, brushing my hands across the back of my skirt to get rid of any dust or dirt from the floor. I pray that I don’t look as shaky as I still feel. “I’m over here,” I say. I glance around, then head toward the row of American wines just across the way. “The Ardenback wasn’t in the index, so I had to go looking on my own.” And there it i...

Queen of Fire (Raven's Shadow #3)(34) Author: Anthony Ryan Frentis nodded to the others and slipped from their shadow, crawling closer under concealment of a low pile of blackened bricks, no more than fifteen feet from the gate. “A revolt, Honoured Citizen!” Thirty-Four said to the sergeant, an impressively convincing whine colouring his voice. “Please! Oh please!” “Shut up,” the sergeant said wearily, moving towards Thirty-Four, clearly puzzled by his clothing, mean even for a slave, and the sight of his sword. “Who gave you that? Give it here!” “Certainly, honoured sir,” Thirty-Four said as the sergeant reached for his sword, drawing it in a single fluid motion and flicking the blade across the man’s eyes. Thirty-Four stepped nimbly past him as he collapsed to his knees, screaming and clutching at his face, killing a Varitai with a thrust to the neck then turning and running. Six Varitai took off in pursuit, one falling dead with Frentis’s throwing knife in his throat, two m...

Take Me (One Night with Sole Regret #3)(12) Author: Olivia Cunning The smell of pizza accompanied Jacob back into the kitchen. Amanda tossed the wet dishtowel in the sink and turned to face him, pretending she didn’t feel awkward by forcing a smile. “Smells great.” Avoiding her eyes, he stared over her head as he slid the pizza box onto the still-damp island counter. He was not so good at hiding his own awkwardness. “I guess you decided against the pineapple and anchovies.” “Yeah, I had that a couple nights ago. Thought I’d mix it up a little.” He reached for his sunglasses, but she snatched them up before he could get his hand on them. No way was she letting him hide behind them. She didn’t care if it made him uncomfortable to look at her after he’d almost kissed her. “No sunglasses for you tonight,” she said, stuffing them down the front of her shirt. His gaze landed on her chest and her damp T-shirt. This time when her ni**les hardened, it wasn’t from the cold. It was from the...

Ghost Town (The Morganville Vampires #9)(34) Author: Rachel Caine "Maybe we should try to get him out," Claire said. "Does that sound crazy?" "Only all of it. You know what the penalty is for breaking someone out of that cage?" "Joining them in it?" "Bingo. And sorry, but I'm not risking it. You're not exactly escape-artist material." She was a little relieved, actually. "Maybe I can talk to Amelie. Get her to change her mind." "See, that's much more you. Reason Girl," Shane said. "Parents?" She nodded and grabbed her backpack from the corner--force of habit: she didn't have school today, but the weight of the books and all the assorted junk she kept in it made her feel steadier. Shane turned toward the closed kitchen door. "Yo, undead-for-brains, we're heading to the Danvers house!" "I heard that," Michael yelled back. "Whole point, bro." Shane of...

God Emperor of Dune (Dune Chronicles #4) Author: Frank Herbert Chapter One Excerpt from the speech by Hadi Benotto announcing the discoveries at Dar-es-Balat on the planet of Rakis: IT NOT only is my pleasure to announce to you this morning our discovery of this marvelous storehouse containing, among other things, a monumental collection of manuscripts inscribed on ridulian crystal paper, but I also take pride in giving you our arguments for the authenticity of our discoveries, to tell you why we believe we have uncovered the original journals of Leto II, the God Emperor. First, let me recall to you the historical treasure which we all know by the name of The Stolen Journals, those volumes of known antiquity which over the centuries have been so valuable in helping us to understand our ancestors. As you all know, The Stolen Journals were deciphered by the Spacing Guild, and the method of the Guild Key was employed to translate these newly discovered volumes. No one denies the anti...

Kindled (The Kindred #3)(13) Author: Erica Stevens Devon strolled out of the gym, leaving behind the kids and the game. The boy’s gym teacher opened his mouth to protest, but one fierce look from Devon caused him to snap it quickly shut. He hurried into the locker room, not bothering to grab his clothes as he broke into a swift trot, running past the lockers, blurring as a sense of urgency drove him faster. He could not shake the tumultuous emotions that had radiated from Cassie, emotions he had never felt from anyone before. Bursting free of the boys locker room, he quickly searched the abandoned hallway before turning and darting into the girls locker room. He had a feeling that he was already too late. He skidded around a corner, halting as he came across Melissa. Her dark head was bowed, her hand tightly clenched Cassie’s shirt before her. Her eyes were closed, her breathing even and slow. Then, she shook back her hair and her eyes lifted to his. “She’s gone.” “Where?” he dema...

The Way Home(12) Author: Linda Howard "I am. I want you, and you...you want me." He still couldn't say that she loved him. "We don't have to do anything right now. Like you said, it'll be years before it's old enough to compare us with other parents. You still have a pregnancy to get through, and God knows I won't sleep at night if I don't know you're okay. At least stay until the baby's born. I can take care of you, go with you to those childbirth classes, be with you during delivery." Though his tone was confident, his eyes were pleading, and that was what broke down her resolve. If she pushed him away now, he might never recover. "There's nothing I'd like better," she said huskily, and saw the lightning flash of relief in his eyes before he masked it. "I'll move my clothes in tomorrow." She could only blink at him in surprise. She had expected him to return to the status quo, sleeping almost ever...

Sweet Ruin (Immortals After Dark #16) Author: Kresley Cole ONE Houston County, Texas FOURTEEN YEARS AGO Jo woke to the taste of copper. She smacked her lips, moving her tongue. Something’s in my mouth? Her eyes flashed open. She bolted upright, and spat two pieces of crumpled metal. What the hell are those? Clutching her aching head, she gazed around, wrinkling her nose at the antiseptic smell. Where am I? Her vision was blurry, the light dim. She thought the room was tiled. Shit, was she in a hospital? No good. That’d mean she and Thaddie were back in the foster system and off the streets. Which meant she’d be breaking him out yet again. Where was he? Why couldn’t she remember what happened? Think, Jo. THINK! What’s the last thing you remember? Slowly images of the day began to surface. . . . It’s getting too hot to stay here. Closing in on the library, Jo scanned the streets for the gang lord’s Monte Carlo. She thought she heard its newly replaced engine rumbling a coup...

The World of Divergent: The Path to Allegiant(4) Author: Veronica Roth And most of all—yes, above all else—we are free to expose our dark secrets because we know the dark secrets of our neighbors, our friends, our spouses, our children, our parents, and our enemies. We know that while we are flawed in a unique way, we are not unique because we are flawed. Therefore we can be authentic. We have no suspicions. And we are at peace with those around us. TRUTH MAKES US TRANSPARENT. TRUTH MAKES US STRONG. TRUTH MAKES US INEXTRICABLE. We will raise our children to tell the truth. We will do this by encouraging them to speak their minds at every moment. For the child, withholding words is the same as lying. We will be honest with our children even at the expense of their feelings. The only reason people cannot bear honesty now is because they were not raised hearing the truth about themselves, and they can’t stand to. If children are raised to hear both honest praise and honest criticism,...

Out of Control (Babysitting a Billionaire #2) Author: Nina Croft Chapter One “Holy crap,” Dani muttered. They’d come to an abrupt halt at the edge of the gardens where the lush green lawns gave way to terracotta tiles surrounding a vast swimming pool. The reason for their sudden stop lay facedown on a large pink inflatable bed that floated languidly in the center of the water. “Hmm, maybe we’ll put off introducing you to the boss until…” Gary paused, obviously at a loss for words. “Until he’s got some clothes on?” Dani suggested. “And maybe when he doesn’t appear quite so…” It was Dani’s turn to stall. “Busy?” “Not the word I was thinking of.” The man certainly didn’t look busy. What he did look was naked. He was also not alone—a bottle of champagne dangled limply from one hand, an equally naked blonde was clutched in the other. So that, Dani reflected grimly, was the man she was employed to protect for the foreseeable future. This was what she was reduced to—protecting a nak...

Fair Game (The Rules #1)(9) Author: Monica Murphy “Why? You still mad over how the little redhead burned you?” Gabe laughs. I’m tempted to throw my phone in the pool but restrain myself. “My cheek still hurts,” I mutter. Gabe laughs harder. “She’s a firecracker, I’ll give her that. Bet she’s an amazing fuck.” “You thought about fucking her?” I feel vaguely possessive. Fine, more than vaguely possessive. More like, I’m venturing into she’s mine territory. “Well, yeah. Did you get a good look at her? I know you did. You couldn’t keep your eyes off her. She’s hot, with all that hair and the tits and her mouth? Christ.” “What about her mouth?” Yeah. He has no business thinking of Jade like this. Talking about Jade like this. You don’t either asshole. “You sound jealous.” I snort. “Impossible. What could I be jealous of?” “Exactly. That’s why you need to come to the house tonight. Lots of girls will be there. You can have your pick and get that temperamental Jade out of your head...

Finding Audrey(29) Author: Sophie Kinsella Maybe Linus. I cautiously creep round the edge of the house and peek into the drive. To my surprise, it is Dad. He’s getting out of his car in his business suit, looking a bit hassled. The next minute the front door has opened and Mum is coming down the path like she expected him. “Chris! At last.” “I came as soon as I could get away. But you know, I have a lot on right now…Is this really essential?” “Yes it is! This is a crisis, Chris. A crisis with our son. And I need your support!” OMG. What happened? I duck back into the garden and head silently into the kitchen, where I can hear them talking. I edge forward and see them coming into the hall. “I took Frank’s computer to my Pilates class,” Mum is saying grimly. “You did what?” Dad seems flummoxed. “Anne, I know you want to keep it away from Frank, but isn’t that a bit extreme?” I have visions of Mum, staggering into the church hall, holding Frank’s computer, and I have to clamp m...

Fairytale Come Alive (Ghosts and Reincarnation #4) Author: Kristen Ashley Prologue The Destruction Prentice “You’re a fisherman,” Carver Austin said, his voice filled with derision, even his lip was curled. Prentice Cameron could not believe this bloke. His eyes moved from Austin to Elle. The minute he’d walked into Fergus McFadden’s home in answer to Elle’s father’s summons and laid eyes on Elle, Prentice knew something was wrong. She wasn’t wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Her lustrous, light brown hair wasn’t falling free down her back or pulled to the top of her head in a haphazard knot. Her hazel eyes weren’t shining with mischief or humor or happiness. Instead, her usually thick, wavy hair was smoothed back in a neat ponytail at the nape of her neck and falling in a long sleek column down her back. Not a wild, riotous wave in sight. Prentice loved her soft, beautiful, unruly hair; he thought it defined her perfectly. She was also, he had noticed immediately, wearing make...

Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park #1)(18) Author: Michael Crichton They studied trackways, fossil footprints left in mud, and concluded that dinosaurs ran as fast as a man; such activity implied warm blood. They found dinosaur remains above the Arctic Circle, in a frigid environment unimaginable for a reptile. And the new studies of group behavior, based largely on Grant's own work, suggested that dinosaurs had a complex social life and reared their young, as reptiles did not. Crocodiles and turtles abandon their eggs. But dinosaurs probably did not. The warm-blooded controversy had raged for fifteen years, before a new perception of dinosaurs as quick-moving, active animals was acecpted-but not without lasting animosities. At conventions, there were still colleagues who did not speak to one another. But now, if dinosaurs could be cloned-why, Grant's field of study was going to change instantly. The paleontological study of dinosaurs was finished. The whole enterprise-the museum...

The Gamble (Colorado Mountain #1) Author: Kristen Ashley Chapter One Timeout I looked at the clock on the dash of the rental car, then back out at the snow. I was already twenty minutes late to meet the caretaker. Not only was I worried that I was late, I was worried that, after I eventually made it there, he had to drive home in this storm. The roads were worsening by the second; the slick had turned to black ice in some places, snow cover in others. I just hoped he lived close to the A-Frame. Then again, he was probably used to this, living in a small mountain town in Colorado. This was probably nothing to him. It scared the hell out of me. I resisted the urge to look at the directions I’d memorized on the plane (or, more accurately, before I even got on the plane) that were sitting by my purse in the passenger seat. There was no telling how far away I was and what made matters worse was that I was doing half of what I suspected, but wasn’t sure, was the speed limit. Not to ...

Redemption Road (Vicious Cycle #2)(27) Author: Katie Ashley “You heard me.” “Yes, but I’m not sure you’re hearing yourself. We had a plan, remember? We’ve played the hero card long enough. After tomorrow, she ain’t supposed to be our problem. She has a family to go home to, and it ain’t ours.” Despite myself, I gasped at his harsh words while Rev growled and took a step toward Bishop. “You take that back.” “Or what?” In a flash, Rev had crossed the room and had Bishop pushed against the wall. “Just because we’re south of the border doesn’t mean I’m not still your president, little brother. I gave you an order.” Bishop’s face flooded crimson with anger. With his nostrils flaring and chest heaving, he silently seethed for a few seconds. “Fine. I take it back,” he spat. Gripping Bishop’s shirt tighter, Rev said, “Now tell Annabel you’re sorry that you were a selfish prick and you would be happy to have her visit us in Georgia.” With his body coiled with rage, Bishop jerked his he...

What Happens In Vegas.... Doesn't Always Stay There(13) Author: Terry Towers “Oh God please!” Her eyes locked with Graham’s for a moment before he dipped his head and sucked her clit into his mouth. She cried out, her free hand fisting the blanket under her. The situation was too much and had taken her to the brink; she was so close to coming her entire body was coiled tight and ready to explode. Just as she turned her head and took Dane back into her mouth, Graham released her clit and thrust his tongue deep within her. She would have cried out as her orgasm rushed through her body, but Dane’s dick had muffled the sound. The vibrations of her moan flowed through Dane’s cock and he groaned with her. “I need to be in her, Dane!” she heard Graham growl. The urgency in his tone caught both her and Dane’s attention. Dane pulled his swollen dick free, bent down and claimed her lips with his. His tongue wasted no time, slipping past her lips and into her mouth, seeking out hers. As t...

Queen of Fire (Raven's Shadow #3)(27) Author: Anthony Ryan Lady Trella shrugged. “Anyone can light a fire.” “Also, to survive the assault on the city, and the flight southward. Quite an achievement.” “I don’t know how much Fermin told you of our circumstances, Highness, but despite our name, we did not live a noble existence. Poverty makes one resourceful.” “I’m sure. But still, a woman alone, surviving war and hunger for so long.” She watched Lady Trella sip more tea, seeing how she forced herself to swallow. “You may have heard,” she went on, “that I have lifted all strictures on use of the Dark in this Realm. The Gifted now occupy an honoured place in my army, and upon speaking to them, I have noticed that they share a common trait. In each case their mother also had a gift, but not always their father. Curious, don’t you think?” Lady Trella met her gaze then slowly raised her hand, splaying the fingers. “A Volarian soldier kicked my door in that night, found me hiding in ...

The Queen (The Selection 0.4)(11) Author: Kiera Cass I blushed and tried not to think of the time I stole change from Mama’s purse to buy a stamp with his face on it. I still had it on a piece of rough paper and used it as a bookmark. “I respect him,” I defended. “He’s the prince.” “It’s more than that. You’d take a bullet for him if you had to.” I didn’t answer. “You would! Oh, my goodness!” I stood. “I’m going to grab some of those dresses. I’ll be right back.” I tried not to be afraid of the thoughts in my head. Because if it was a choice between him or me, I didn’t think I’d be able not to put him first. He was the prince, and his life was invaluable to the country. But more than that, it was invaluable to me. I shrugged the thought away. Besides, it wasn’t as if it would ever happen. CHAPTER 7 THE BLINDING LIGHTS IN THE studio always took some adjusting to. Adding the weight of the jeweled dresses my maids insisted I wear for the Report made the hour almost unbearable....

What Happens In Vegas.... Doesn't Always Stay There(9) Author: Terry Towers Genevieve’s hand was like heaven wrapped around him. If she kept it up he’d be putty in her hands, embarrassing himself and disappointing her. Certainly not what he had envisioned for the night with her. He brushed his lips along the side of her swanlike neck until he reached her ear. “Turn around.” ~*~*~*~*~ ~ Genevieve ~ “Turn around,” his deep voice flowed over her like honey and her body quivered. When he removed his fingers from her, she whimpered her protest. She was coming close and she knew by the way his cock had swollen and throbbed in her hand that he was as well. Why was he stopping it? “Oh Dane. Why?” She turned in his arms and just as the question came from her lips, she was hoisted onto his hips, carried to the corner of the stall and seated on the narrow ledge. He slipped a hand into her locks and grasped the back of her head as his lips came crashing down onto hers. His lips and t...

What Happens In Vegas.... Doesn't Always Stay There(10) Author: Terry Towers Rubbing her eyes she sat up and looked around the room, coming up empty. She glanced at the alarm clock beside her – it read 2:30pm. Damn. She would have been shocked to see how late in the afternoon it was had they not spent well into the night taking and receiving pleasure from each other. She was tempted to go back to sleep, but the sound of movement in the next room made her change her mind. Wasn’t one of men’s favourite things a spontaneous blow job? Her smile widened. Considering what he’d made her feel the previous night – over and over, and in several rooms of the suite – she figured it was the least she could do. Sliding from the bed, she raised her hands high above her head and stretched. The pull of her muscles felt divine, helping to wake her from her sleepy state. She made her way across the bedroom when it occurred to her she may have morning breath. Turning back, she scurried across the...

What Happens In Vegas.... Doesn't Always Stay There(6) Author: Terry Towers Another thought occurred to her. What if the reason there weren’t fireworks between her and Alex was because she wasn’t very good in bed? What if the reason he broke it off was because he realized that and wanted to be with someone else who could satisfy him? ~*~*~*~*~ ~ Dane ~ Dane watched Genevieve’s mood switch from playful and teasing to indecisive as she slipped from his arms. It threw him off, making him wonder what he did to change her mood. He liked her, she was more than just beautiful; she had a spark about her that drew him in – or had until that moment. “What’s the matter?” Maybe I’m just coming on too strong. As much as he wanted to take her back to his room tonight, he could tell she wasn’t the type. She was too refined. He’d planned on treating it as a challenge, but now, now he just wanted to get to know her. Even if that meant jacking himself off tonight instead of what had originall...

Tracker (Sigma Force #7.5)(5) Author: James Rollins She joined him and stared at the live feed on the screen. “Who is filming this?” She leaned closer. “Aren’t those the men who were following me?” “Yes.” She squinted up at him. “How—?” “I had my dog track them. He’s outfitted with a full surveillance package.” His explanation only deepened that pinched look. Rather than elaborating in more detail, he simply turned up the speakerphone so the audio from the video feed could be heard. Traffic noises and a whisper of wind ate most of the big man’s words, but a few coarse phrases came through clearly. Aliza cocked her head to the side, listening. Tucker appreciated the long curve of her neck, the way her lips pursed ever so slightly as she concentrated. “What are they saying?” he asked. She spoke haltingly, listening and speaking at the same time. “Something about a cemetery. A lost Jewish cemetery.” She shook her head as the man ended his call and vanished into the sedan. “He me...

The Untamed MacKenzie (MacKenzies & McBrides #5.5)(8) Author: Jennifer Ashley He did not seek the other chair. He sat on the sofa with Louisa, putting at least two feet of space between them. Then he stripped off his gloves, took a small notebook and pencil from his pocket, flipped to a clean page, and wrote: Interview with Lady Louisa Scranton, witness. “Take me through it, Lady Louisa,” Fellows said, not letting himself look up from the notebook. “Take you through what?” Her voice was brittle. “How I watched the Bishop of Hargate die?” Fellows kept his eyes on the page. “I need to know exactly what happened. It’s apparent he was poisoned, and I’d like to know how and by who. You went inside the tea tent . . .” Louisa drew a sharp breath. “We had some tea. The bishop was talking to me about . . . about his recent travels to Paris. Then he looked ill, started struggling to breathe, and he fell. I thought he was choking, and I ran and fetched Sir Richard. By the time we return...

What Happens In Vegas.... Doesn't Always Stay There(4) Author: Terry Towers “Genevieve? What a beautiful name.” “You can call me Ginny.” “Staying here at the hotel?” He popped his member card into the machine, slipped in a fifty-dollar bill and waited for the credits displayed on the reader. “I am. You?” “I am. A suite on the top floor.” He pulled the lever and the wheels began to spin. “So what brings you to Vegas?” She shrugged. “I’m on my honeymoon.” He froze for a moment. Well, shit. His smile fell. He was really hoping she’d be available. He cleared his throat and pulled the lever again. “Well, congratulations.” “No need. It’s a solo honeymoon.” His brow furrowed, confused. Solo honeymoon? He turned his attention back to her. “I don’t follow.” His eyes lowered to her left hand where a wedding ring should be, but her finger was barren of said ring and he noticed a faint white mark where a ring used to be. “I was stood up at the altar and the reservations were non-ref...

Black Order (Sigma Force #3)(3) Author: James Rollins The boats circled out into the deeper channel, engines trebling up. The Russians could not stop them now. It was over. Motion drew his attention back to the far side of the boat. Tola leaned over the baby and delivered a soft kiss atop the boy's wispy-haired pate. She lifted her face, meeting Jakob's gaze. He saw no defiance oranger. Only determination. Jakob knew what she was about to do. "Don't—" Too late. Shifting up, Tola leaned back over the low rail behind her and kicked off with her feet. With the baby clutched to her bosom, she flipped backward into the cold water. Her guard, startled by the sudden action, twisted and fired blindly into the water. Jakob lunged to his side and knocked his arm up. "You could hit the child." Jakob leaned over the boat's edge and searched the waters. The other men were on their feet. The boat rocked. All Jakob saw in the leaden waters was his own ref...

Playing for Pizza(2) Author: John Grisham "What!" Rick said as forcefully as possible. Arnie snatched the paper down and bolted to his feet. "Are you okay, kid?" "Wonderful, Arnie. What day is it?" "Tuesday, early Tuesday morning. How do you feel, kid?" "Give me that newspaper." "What do you want to know?" "What's going on, Arnie?" "What do you want to know?" "Everything." "Have you watched television?" "No. You pulled the plug. Talk to me, Arnie." Arnie cracked his knuckles, then walked slowly to the window, where he barely opened the blinds. He peered through them, as if trouble were out there. "Yesterday some hooligans came here and made a scene. Cops handled it well, arrested a dozen or so. Just a bunch of thugs. Browns fans." "How many?" "Paper said about twenty. Just drunks." "And why did they come here, Arnie? It's...

Her Wicked Heart (Her Wicked Heart #1)(22) Author: Ember Casey Ian comes over to me, his suitcase in one hand. He rubs the back of his neck with the other. “Would you…” His eyes, warm but uncertain, lift to mine. “Would you like to come upstairs for a little while? Maybe watch some TV or something?” I could say no. I could get back in my car and drive back to Huntington Manor and pretend this never happened. But I don’t want things to end like this between us—all awkward, with so many things unspoken. And in spite of how things have gone this evening, I find that I’m not ready to leave him just yet. I nod. He smiles again, and there’s such genuine pleasure in the expression that I feel a little better. I follow him up the stairs to his room. I’ve never been in a cheap motel before, but it looks exactly like all the movies led me to expect. The walls are a nondescript beige color (though there are a few strange stains of indeterminable origin). The only decor is a pastel beachsca...

The Last Juror(16) Author: John Grisham "The ones who read your newspaper certainly do." That stung more than she would ever know. "We just report the facts," I said smugly. "The boy was arrested. He's been charged. He's in jail awaiting trial." "Isn't there a presumption of innocence?" Another squirm on my side of the table. "Of course." "Do you think it was fair to use a photograph of him handcuffed, with blood on his shirt?" I was struck by her sense of fairness. Why would she, or any other black in Ford County, care if Danny Padgitt was treated fairly? Few people had ever worried about black defendants getting decent treatment by the police or the press. "He had blood on his shirt when he arrived at the jail. We didn't put it there." Neither one of us was enjoying this little debate. I took a sip of tea and found it difficult to swallow. I was stuffed all the way down. She looked at me wit...

Master of the Game(14) Author: Sidney Sheldon That was when he lost consciousness again. His body was on fire. Someone was scraping his face with sandpaper, and he vainly tried to lift a hand to protest. He made an effort to open his eyes, but they were swollen shut. Jamie lay there, every fiber of his being screaming with pain, as he tried to remember where he was. He shifted, and the scraping began again. He put out his hand blindly and felt sand. His raw face was lying in hot sand. Slowly, every move an agony, he managed to draw himself up on his knees. He tried to see through his swollen eyes, but he could make out only hazy images. He was somewhere in the middle of the trackless Karroo, naked. It was early morning, but he could feel the sun starting to burn through his body. He felt around blindly for food or a billy can of water. There was nothing. They had left him there for dead. Salomon van der Merwe. And, of course, Smit, the bartender. Jamie had threatened Van der Merwe, ...

Wisdom (My Blood Approves #4)(3) Author: Amanda Hocking I pushed Milo out of the way, and Daisy was instantly on her feet. I wrapped my arms around her before she could dive at Bobby, who still seemed to be her main target. The way she wriggled made it impossible to hold her in my arms. She turned her head and nearly bit my shoulder, but I grabbed a clump of her hair on the back of her head. She twisted around, pulling out chunks of her hair, and I had to take more drastic measures. I slammed her head down onto the floor, pressing her face to the hard wood, and I knelt on her back. I felt guilty about it because this was a five-year-old kid I was fighting, but it felt a lot more like pinning down a piranha. “Are you okay?” Milo jumped onto the bed with Bobby, but other than being freaked out, Bobby looked alright. Daisy kept trying to bite me and clawed at the floor. Her pudgy little fingers bled, but she didn’t notice. Abruptly, she stopped. She lay perfectly still and silent,...

Allegiant (Divergent #3)(36) Author: Veronica Roth We walk down one of the tiled corridors, nearly empty now at the end of a workday, and down a flight of stairs. As we descend, blue and green and purple and red lights dance over the walls, shifting between colors with each second. The tunnel at the bottom of the stairs is wide and dark, with only the strange light to guide us. The floor here is old tile, and even through my shoe soles, it feels grainy with dirt and dust. “This part of the airport was completely redone and expanded when they first moved in here,” Nita says. “For a while, after the Purity War, all the laboratories were underground, to keep them safer if they were attacked. Now it’s just the support staff who goes down here.” “Is that who you want me to meet?” She nods. “Support staff is more than just a job. Almost all of us are GDs—genetically damaged, leftovers from the failed city experiments or the descendants of other leftovers or people pulled in from the out...

Entrusted (Club Destiny #7)(34) Author: Nicole Edwards He’d never asked that of her before. Then again, he’d never met Samantha McCoy until recently. Elijah didn’t fear that he would fall in love with a woman who would make him forget Beth. That wasn’t possible. However, until Samantha, Elijah hadn’t expected to meet a woman who would captivate him in ways only Beth had been able to do. But tonight at dinner, he’d found himself completely enraptured by Samantha. The way she spoke, the way she moved… Especially the way she looked at him. She made him feel as though he weren’t just a third wheel. She made him believe that she wanted something more than just a roll in the sheets. Not to mention, he got a good vibe from Logan. The man wasn’t just interested in watching some random man fuck his wife. No, this was… strange to say, but it seemed serious for the two of them. That was refreshing. And profoundly different from what he had originally expected. And he got the distinct impre...

Wake (The Watersong Quartet #1)(36) Author: Amanda Hocking “They did, and travelers would come to see it,” Thea agreed. “They even attracted the attention of gods like Poseidon.” “Poseidon was the god of the ocean,” Penn explained. “In her naïveté, Peisinoe thought she could entice him with her swimming, and he would fall in love with her and take her away. “And maybe he did fall in love with her.” Penn brushed the sand away from her legs and stared into the fire. “Many men and a few gods have fallen for her over the years. But in the end, it doesn’t matter. It wasn’t enough.” “Persephone was engaged to be wed,” Thea said, taking back the story. “She had much to do, but instead of helping her, all four of her handmaidens went out to the ocean to swim and sing. Poseidon had invited them out, and Peisinoe was certain that this would be the day he would ask her to marry him. If she could just impress him enough.” “Unfortunately, that also happened to be the day when someone decided ...

Chasing Imperfection (Chasing #2)(33) Author: Pamela Ann My cell rang again. “Such a busy man you are Blake.” I glanced at the lovely woman beside me. “Indeed, my sweet.” I kissed her hand and kept it with me. “Knightly,” I barked, picking up the blasted call that kept me from being with her. “Alas, if it isn’t the notorious Romeo of the twenty-first century, bloody f**king Knightly finally picking up my call.” Clive Barrington greeted me with derision. Bugger, calling him back escaped my mind, yet again. “I assure you, it was purely unmitigated bypass of consciousness, dear cousin. Are you about town? Watson and I are meeting at The Stag.” Clive is three years our senior. So he took the liberty of becoming our teenage mentor, a mentor for all our mischievous devilry and atrocities. “By all means, I could do with a pint or a dozen. I’ll be on my merry way then my dearest baby cousin.” “You arse, a baby I’m certainly not. My memory can’t expunge the absurdity of you getting cau...

Her Wicked Heart (Her Wicked Heart #1)(8) Author: Ember Casey I consider going all in and diving right into the T-shirts, but I decide it’s better to start with something a little safer. Something that isn’t going to bring my lunch right back up. Like… books. An entire bookshelf got knocked over in the scuffle, and the volumes are scattered across the floor. Books aren’t obnoxious like neon clothing and key chains, right? Wrong. The first few titles I sift through are the kind I expected to find in a place like this: image-heavy coffee table books about the estate. They have titles like Huntington Manor: A Photographic Tour, or The Architecture of Huntington Manor. Or even Settlers of Barberville: A History of the Region. But buried beneath all of those, I find a book that makes my insides twist. It’s called The Cunninghams: The Unauthorized Story. I stare down at the gold embossed letters on the cover. This is a joke, right? This can’t be real. But when I flip it open, the real...

Her Wicked Heart (Her Wicked Heart #1)(15) Author: Ember Casey He’s still angry. It’s obvious without even seeing his face. There’s frustration in every line of his body. He’s cast aside the ill-fitting button-down. The shirt’s in a pile in the corner, and his torso’s completely bare. I try not to notice the way the muscles of his back contract as he holds a piece of wood in place. Or the way that tattoo across his bicep moves with every swing of his arm. A flicker of something begins to burn in my belly, growing slowly and heating the emptiness from the inside out. “Need something?” I jump at the sound of his voice. He doesn’t even stop hammering, let alone turn around. So much for me being a super spy. “You left the luncheon,” I say. “And so you decided to follow me and make sure I’m okay? I’m touched.” He doesn’t sound particularly happy to see me. “Hate to break it to you, but I haven’t crossed the line into ‘stalker’ just yet.” I lean against the doorway, trying to look ca...

Entrusted (Club Destiny #7)(27) Author: Nicole Edwards “I think we’re going to have to go a step further if we want something lasting. What we’ve done in the past just hasn’t worked.” Sam paused, her eyes locked with his. “Is that a bad thing?” “No,” he answered honestly. Logan had been thinking the same thing. At least since he met Elijah. For whatever reason, he felt as though there was a connection with Elijah. And it wasn’t sexual on his part because he wasn’t interested in men, but something in his gut told him this was going to be more. To prove it, Logan had actually invited Elijah to play golf with them today. Elijah had kindly declined, letting him know that he had to fly to Florida and wouldn’t be back until Sunday morning. So, yeah, Logan was doing something he’d never done before too. He was establishing a connection. He’d already prepared himself for that. And after his conversation with Elijah that afternoon, he’d heard the unspoken request in the other man’s tone. ...

Play (Stage Dive #2)(9) Author: Kylie Scott “Oh, yeah. Anne?” A finger slid beneath my chin and gently lifted, forcing me to face him. Mal stared at me and I stared back despite my best intentions. His face gentled. None of the drunken amusement remained. He just looked at me and all that stuff about seeing someone’s soul began to make sense. It was terrifying. I could almost feel a connection between us. Like there was something I could reach out and grab hold of. It couldn’t be real. But for one perfect moment, it was just me and him. We were in our own little bubble and nothing or no one else existed. It was strangely peaceful. “There we go,” he said, not taking his eyes off me. “She doesn’t do it for you or Davie though. Only I get the crazy eyes. Because I’m special.” Ben said something. I didn’t hear what. Then Mal looked away and the moment was gone. The spell was broken. “It’s sweet, really. She can’t live without me.” “Obviously.” Ben laughed. My jaw clenched. Fuck Ma...

Master of the Game(5) Author: Sidney Sheldon Jamie introduced himself to his two fellow passengers. "I'm Jamie McGregor." "Wallach," the short, dark man said. "Pederson," the tall blond replied. Jamie said, "We're lucky we discovered this, aren't we? It's a good thing everybody doesn't know about it." Pederson said, "Oh, they know about the post carts, McGregor. There just aren't that many fit enough or desperate enough to travel in them." Before Jamie could ask what he meant, the driver said, "Let's go." The three men - Jamie in the middle - squeezed into the seat, crowded against each other, their knees cramped, their backs pressing hard against the wooden back of the driver's seat. There was no room to move or breathe. It's not bad, Jamie reassured himself. "Hold on!" the driver sang out, and a moment later they were racing through the streets of Cape Town on their way ...

Angels & Demons (Robert Langdon #1)(7) Author: Dan Brown "Since the beginning of history," Langdon explained, "a deep rift has existed between science and religion. Outspoken scientists like Copernicus - " "Were murdered," Kohler interjected. "Murdered by the church for revealing scientific truths. Religion has always persecuted science." "Yes. But in the 1500s, a group of men in Rome fought back against the church. Some of Italy's most enlightened men - physicists, mathematicians, astronomers - began meeting secretly to share their concerns about the church's inaccurate teachings. They feared that the church's monopoly on 'truth' threatened academic enlightenment around the world. They founded the world's first scientific think tank, calling themselves 'the enlightened ones.' " "The Illuminati." "Yes," Langdon said. "Europe's most learned minds... dedicated to the q...

Shards of Hope (Psy-Changeling #14)(2) Author: Nalini Singh “Arrows aren’t so easy to break.” “And you aren’t fully Silent, Aden. You never have been.” Another strained breath. “Everyone in the squad knows that—now someone outside the squad has figured it out.” Aden decided he would correct her about his Silence later. “Conserve your strength. I need to be able to count on you when we escape.” There was no “if.” They would escape. “If you can get me a weapon,” Zaira said, “I’ll cover you as you go. I’m weak, will slow you down. You’ll do better on your own.” She said that as if it was a simple fact, as if she wasn’t talking about the end of her own life. Leaning in until their noses almost touched, until she could see his eyes as he could see the jet-black darkness of hers, he said, “I don’t leave my people behind.” He knew what it was to be left behind, and though it had been done for the best of reasons it had marked him on a primal level. “We’ll go together.” “You’re being ir...

Ride Steady (Chaos #3)(7) Author: Kristen Ashley She stared at him and he had a weird feeling she knew he was lying. It wasn’t like they didn’t speak. She said “hey” whenever she’d catch his eyes. She’d tripped down the stairs when she was a sophomore and he was close so he caught her. She’d laughed, told him she was a klutz, and thanked him for saving her from taking a header. In return, he’d told her it was no problem then he took off. They’d had a substitute teacher once who was a scatterbrain and kept dropping the chalk, and Carissa caught his eyes in class and rolled hers. She’d also been in front of him in line at Dairy Queen with her dad once when he was there getting Mrs. Heely a hot fudge sundae and she’d shared that Blizzards with Reese’s Pieces and Cups were the bomb. There was more, but not enough she’d know he was lying. Still, she did, and he knew it when she asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?” and he knew she wasn’t asking about his face. “You heard about Mr. Ro...

Following Her (Unexpected Heroes #2.5)(9) Author: Melody Anne She did lean forward, taking pleasure in the triumph she saw light his eyes. “Mmm, you’re smooth aren’t you, Axel?” she whispered. “Just honest,” he replied, leaning forward to meet her. “I’m smoother . . . and not easily fooled. Now give me my hand.” The change from sultry to commanding seemed to pull him out of his sexual haze and he dropped her hand as if he’d just been burned. He lifted his drink and took a long swallow before turning her way again. “I guess none of my normal moves are going to work on you,” he finally said, sending her a wink that told her more about the man than anything he’d said aloud. Yes, he was confident, but he used humor to cover up when he was feeling something that possibly frightened him. Interesting. “Why don’t you share something about yourself, Axel? If I’m going to be stuck with you shadowing me, whether I want it or not, then the least you can do is tell me who you are.” “I’m an ...

Allegiant (Divergent #3)(29) Author: Veronica Roth “I’ll ask him if he’s up for it,” I say. “But I would be willing. When?” “This morning okay?” he says. “I can come get you in an hour or so. You can’t get into the labs without me anyway.” I nod. I feel excited, suddenly, to learn more about my genes, which feels like the same thing as reading my mother’s journal: I will get pieces of her back. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN TOBIAS IT’S STRANGE TO see people you don’t know well in the morning, with sleepy eyes and pillow creases in their cheeks; to know that Christina is cheerful in the morning, and Peter wakes up with his hair perfectly flat, but Cara communicates only through a series of grunts, inching her way, limb by limb, toward coffee. The first thing I do is shower and change into the clothes they provided for us, which aren’t much different from the clothes I am accustomed to, but all the colors are mixed together like they don’t mean anything to the people here, and they probably d...

Four Years Later (One Week Girlfriend #4)(3) Author: Monica Murphy I’m the one left who has to pick up the pieces. Glue her back together and tell her she’s strong. She’s tough. She doesn’t need him. We both don’t need him. But I’m lying. I think she does need him. And I need him, too, only to keep her together more than anything else. I don’t love him, not anymore. He stomped all over that love until he made me resentful. Seeing what he does to Mom makes me really wish I’d stuck to that lesbian deal. Or maybe I should just become asexual. That would work, too. I like it here in my little world that makes sense, with school and tutoring and plans to go on to get my master’s degree. I can be whatever I want. I don’t need a man to define me. Kari’s afraid I’ll never want to graduate college because I like school too much. She thinks something’s wrong with that. It’s hard to confess to her how scared I am of the real world. A creak sounds, startling me out of my thoughts, and the cl...

Tease Me (One Night with Sole Regret #7)(9) Author: Olivia Cunning “You wanted more, didn’t you?” he asked, watching her in the mirror. “That was perfect,” she said. “You didn’t want me to fuck your ass?” He kissed her ear, grinning knowingly. “The only thing greedier for cock than your pussy is your tight little hole.” He slapped her flank, and her ass tightened with need. Yes, she wanted him inside her there. Even now. “Well,” she said, her cheeks pink. “Maybe a little. You know I love it.” “I have set up a little something for you to enjoy at the sex club tomorrow night. But until then, no anal.” She didn’t know whether to be excited about the upcoming experience at the club or disappointed that she had to wait for butt sex. “None?” she asked. “Not even a finger? A plug? Nothing?” He laughed, obviously finding her desperation amusing. “Not until tomorrow night.” “Did anyone ever tell you that it’s not nice to tease?” she asked, reaching between her legs to rake her finger...

Dragon's Mistress (Saurellian Federation #1.6)(9) Author: Joanna Wylde "Hold up the earrings next to it," he said. She did, gasping. He watched her face, but he already knew what she was seeing. The delicate tracery of the wires and beads, held at exactly the right angle, matched his tattoo exactly. There could be no mistaking it. "Do you believe me now?" he asked. "You could have had those given to Karya," she said, shaking her head. "Yes, I could have," he replied. "But how would have I arranged for her to give them to you? You know I’m telling the truth." She was silent, a single tear welling up. "I wish you weren't," she said. "How could all those people be dead, and none of us know about it?" "He's not sane," Drake replied, filled with compassion for her. He remembered when he'd first heard the news, and realized that he no longer had a choice in fighting the Emperor. "Will...

One Night with Her (Seductive Nights #3.5)(12) Author: Lauren Blakely It was okay that he was the quieter one when it came to the morning-after report. Nate usually had enough fodder for the both of them. “Maybe it does,” he said as Nate took his turn shooting. “And does that mean you’ll be the one canceling drinks next time?” Nate asked as Jack grabbed the ball. “You know what? It just might mean that. But for a much better reason than working late on a deal.” “That deal is going to make my company a lot of money, though.” “That’s a good thing then.” “Yeah, but not as good as other things.” He flashed back to last night. To Michelle’s body, half-naked. He’d need to get the rest of her clothes off tonight. “You’re right. Definitely not as good as other things that I’m going to engage in again tonight,” he said with a wicked grin. “Lucky bastard,” Nate whistled as the ball sailed through the net. Maybe he was talking about the ball. Or maybe he was talking about the possibil...

Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood #10)(9) Author: J.R. Ward "I love you," she said. With that, she drew him up off the pillows so she was sitting in his lap, his arousal pushing even deeper inside her core. Palming the back of his neck with her free hand, she brought him to her vein and held him in place. He didn't need any more urging than that - and the pain that came with his strike was a sweet sting that carried her right back over the edge of release, her sex milking him into another orgasm, working against his shaft, squeezing him, pulling at him. John's arms locked around her, and the sight of them out of the corner of her eye made her frown. They were huge, bulging limbs that, in spite of how strong she was, could lift more, strike harder, punch faster. They were bigger than her thighs, thicker than her waist. Their bodies were not, in fact, created equal, were they. He was always going to be more powerful than her. A reality, sure. But how much so...

Chasing Imperfection (Chasing #2)(29) Author: Pamela Ann I pulled her silken robe to my nostrils and inhaled her scent. It was faint but it was remarkably, undeniably hers. I woke up from the gentle strokes caressing my forehead. But my drunken state made it difficult to open my eyes so I grunted in earnest. “Shhhhh…..rest my love,” she whispered softly, “I’m so sorry.” Her gentle caresses calmed and comforted me. She said “my love” but I doubt that meant love. “Stay—don’t leave me.” And go to him. I am hurt but I know I would rather die than not have her with me. Maybe in time we will forgive each other and our misguided decisions. In time….I can only hope. “If that’s what you want.” It is. I heard her shuffle and flick the lamp switch off. She hugged me from behind. She was crying softly and I was gutted hearing her soft sobs. If I just made the right decision and told her about the blasted engagement in the very beginning….severed my ties with the Clayworths….then none of...

Her Wicked Heart (Her Wicked Heart #1) Author: Ember Casey BEFORE It never should have happened. He was my project manager, and I was the daughter of Wentworth Cunningham, the man who gave him the job. We both should have known better, but me most of all. The truth is, I was selfish. Before my life went haywire, he was just Ian: hardworking and generous, sweet and serious. I used to tease him about his hair—which was dark and curly like mine—just to try and make him smile. I’d remind him that we were working for the greater good, but he would only see the work we hadn’t done yet: the orphanage we had yet to renovate, the resources we had yet to allocate. He was the kindest and most selfless of all of us working at the Chiang Mai division of Cunningham Cares International. After my father’s death, Ian became my crutch. I shouldn’t have rushed back to Thailand after the funeral. I see that now. My brother pushed me into it, sure, but it’s not like he had a gun to my head. Frankly,...

Sinners at the Altar (Sinners on Tour #6)(42) Author: Olivia Cunning “Did you bring a blindfold like I asked?” Eric asked. Jace pulled one out of his back pocket. “I always carry a spare.” Eric chuckled and took the black leather from Jace’s hand. “Of course you do.” “Why do you need a blindfold?” Rebekah asked. “I don’t,” he said, and slipped it over her head. “You do.” “Eric?” He covered her anxious eyes with the blindfold and was shocked by the surge of lust that flooded his groin at seeing her blindfolded in leather while wearing her very proper wedding gown. “Damn, baby. We’re going to have to use that thing again later tonight.” “Just don’t get your love goo all over it,” Jace said. “It’s one of my favorites.” “No promises,” Eric said as he took Rebekah’s hand to lead her to the car. “Goo sometimes winds up in the most unusual places.” “Such as lucky hats?” Jace chuckled. “Exactly.” Rebekah’s fingers trembled against his palm, but she put her trust in him and allowe...

Kindled (The Kindred #3)(3) Author: Erica Stevens Devon’s fierce scowl only caused him to laugh harder. Chris nearly toppled from his chair as he rocked backward, holding his belly. Slowly he began to regain control of himself, chuckling softly as he leaned forward in his chair again. “You acted like it, in the beginning,” Devon amended. Chris brushed back a strand of unruly sandy blond hair from his eye. “I was worried about her; I was frightened that she would be hurt by you. Until you arrived Cassie had never felt anything for anyone, and I wanted her to go slow, and take it easy. I just didn’t want her to rush into something, when she had no idea what she was getting into.” Chris snorted as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. His eyes were mischievous when he turned his attention back to Devon. “Hell, none of us knew what we were getting into with you.” Devon shook his head at him. “Thanks,” he muttered. “No problem.” Chris grew silent for a few moments, his foot tapped...

Tighter(6) Author: Adele Griffin At my school, you’d get your butt kicked for inflicting anything that tedious on your fellow students. But I could already see that Isa was a more fragile specimen than Mags and me at the height of our wedgie-yanking, middle school powers. “Here.” Connie was hopping down the steps to shove the money through the passenger-side window at the cab driver. “It’th not much but it’th not my fault, either, hadn’t got a chanth to get into town to …” Whatever she said next was obscured by wheels spinning as the driver took his lame tip and roared off. Whoever had arrived, I wouldn’t be making a killer impression. Not in my wet clothes and sweaty face. Isa herself was adjusting one of her dress straps and shaking back her hair. “Is it Dad? It’s Dad, right?” “No,” said Connie, “it’th Dr. Hugh. And he’th only thtaying for dinner, and don’t bother him for caramel.” “Dr. Hugh, cool.” Though Isa still looked disappointed as she darted into the house. “Dr. Hyoooo...

Own the Wind (Chaos #1)(19) Author: Kristen Ashley “My aunt was not cool. Dad hated her. Mom detested her. Said straight out in front of Lan and me she was a bitch. My aunt hated us bein’ there, and she didn’t have a problem lettin’ us know. Doted on her two pieces-of-shit brats, acted like Lan and I stole the last slice of bread the family’d ever have and pissed on it.” He tipped his head to me. “Your mom, seen her around, Tab, before Tack stopped takin’ her shit. She’s a total bitch. My aunt makes your mom look like mother of the year. She was relentless. She had enough venom for a thousand snakes and she was not afraid to strike.” “That sucks too,” I noted then finished, “Also huge.” He grinned again and that grin, as well as the first one, in the face of our subject matter made me all kinds of uneasy. “You’re right about that too, babe.” “I don’t know what to say,” I told him, and I didn’t. I mean, I really wanted to say something, I just didn’t know what that was. He sat up ...

Bedding The Billionaire(7) Author: Kendra Little Nick was tired of it. Usually he wouldn't allow anyone in his employ to treat their work and colleagues with such disrespect, but Vane was good and came with a wealth of experience. But Nick couldn't put up with his behavior anymore. Enough was enough. Skipping out just before a major seminar where he was supposed to give demonstrations to potential clients was more than he could put up with. Nick strolled up King Street toward Collins Street and his hotel, laptop case slung over his shoulder, suit jacket over his arm. He'd taken it off and rolled up his shirt sleeves when he left the air conditioned Crown Complex where the seminar was being held. He'd been inside all day and the heat hit him like a force field. He blew out a breath and kept walking, the heat prickling his skin, engulfing him like a blanket. It was already five o'clock but the sun still burned fiercely. A typical hot summer's day. The sort of...

The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie(25) Author: Jennifer Ashley As he had at the other boardinghouse, Daniel stepped back and tipped his hat, then stood still, waiting for her to go inside. This time he didn’t smile, but watched her with his unnerving scrutiny. Violet finally made herself turn away and walk the few steps to the house. Her hand trembled on the door latch, and she found the door locked. A maid answered her knock immediately and let her in. The foyer was bone cold, but Violet was still hot from Daniel’s touch. She went up the stairs, clutching the wooden railing for balance. Once inside her bedroom, in their little suite of rooms, Violet moved to the front window and lifted the curtain to look out. Daniel was still there, scanning the windows, waiting to make sure she’d gone into the right boardinghouse this time. He saw Violet, broke into his smile, and gave her a lazy salute. Violet lifted her hand in farewell, then forced herself to let go of the curtain, cuttin...