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Sep 15, 2022 10:01 pm
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What’s Next
Your girl needs help. I’m serious. As you know, I like to write one book at a time, but temptation is the devil and I’m weak. I blame my writing buddy Robecca Austin for putting this new distraction on my plate.
If you enjoyed all the wonderful stories from the Savage Bloodline anthology, you know that the authors have re-released their individual stories and made them into a series. Well, they are continuing the series and I couldn’t help myself. I had to go add my name to the next season of DeLucas. Pray for me. And whatever you do, don’t encourage that fiendish friend who knows I have self-control issues. That woman is a menace and needs to stop.
Because there is no way I can complete my rough draft of my Yakuza book without working on multiple projects at once, your girl is going to be busy busy busy. So if you see me acting funny, saying word things that don’t be wording right, it’s because I’ve stumbled into madness and no longer know which universe I’m in.
In the meantime, keep on the lookout. My DeLuca (title TBD) releases on February 21, 2023.
Sneak Peek
Another month is nearly over. I hope you’ve been enjoying your September and getting all the Pumpkin Spice goodies your heart desires. I know my next release completely leapfrogs over fall to land you in the Christmas spirit, but if you are anything like my mom and dad (although he won’t admit to loving those Hallmark Christmas movies until caught in the act), you are already singing to your favorite songs and planning your decorations, your ugly sweaters, matching pajamas, and traditions. Well, for those of you already taken by the spirit of St. Nick, enjoy an early peek into my next release, Caught Red Handed.
“You don’t need your apartment tonight, do you?” Honor asked over the phone, her unique mix of imploring and demanding coming through Yomaris’ earpiece.
Yomaris was walking toward the parking garage’s elevator bank when her sister made the request. She nearly stumbled over her stilettos, then righted herself, checking her surroundings for any witnesses to her clumsiness. Assured no one had seen her near miss with the concrete floor, she continued to the elevator’s bright lights.
A list of reasons why Honor needed her apartment ran through her head in a matter of seconds. None of them boded well for Yomaris’ blood pressure.
“Yoya?” Honor asked in the elapsed silence.
The elevator doors opened. Three men and one woman shared the small space. It took Yomaris two seconds to decide not to wait for the next car. She entered and situated herself in the middle, knowing she would need what awaited her upstairs even more once she hung up with Honor.
“Would it matter if I did?” Yomaris answered her sister in a hushed tone and glanced left and right, hoping the four people couldn’t overhear her younger sister’s end of the conversation.
“Not so much. So, you’ll find another place to stay tonight?”
Yomaris sighed. “Do I get to know why I need to find somewhere else to sleep tonight?” She lurched as the elevator came to a stop, missing the woman in front of her by the grace of God.
Once the doors opened, Yomaris sped out, seeking some semblance of privacy in the popular hotel.
“Only if you promise not to lecture me about my life choices.”
“Honor…”
“Yoya, it’s just for tonight. I’ll be out of there by the afternoon.”
“But you know how much I hate wearing day-old clothes.” Although she prevented herself from stomping her foot like an irate toddler, she failed to keep the whine out of her voice.
“Please…”
Anytime her siblings begged, Yomaris caved without a fight and often without explanations.
“Fine! On one condition. Tell me how much I’ll need to pay to get you out of whatever situation you’re trying to hide from.”
“Give me a little credit.”
Yomaris let out an audible groan.
“Okay, I needed two grand—”
“Honor…”
“You promised not to lecture.”
“I did no such th—”
“Well, it was great catching up. I’ll call when I’m leaving. Love ya, bye!”
“Honor! Hon—”
Her sister hung up, leaving Yomaris to blindly pace off her frustration and put on the bubbly personality she wore in public so she could check into a room.
“Oomph!” Her face slammed into a hard surface.
The wall pushed her back with the same force as she had hit it. In the millisecond it took to recognize the wall she’d barreled into was a person, she also understood she was about to land on her ass. Hard.
A steel bar wrapped around her considerable waist.
Wait… can steel bars bend?
No, but the man who owned the immovable chest also owned the arm, preventing her from injuring her favorite attribute. In fact, said arm didn’t stop when she was upright. Its owner continued to pull her inexorably closer to the wall of his chest, the broad surface only thinly covered by a straining button-down shirt. He stopped when they were chest to chest and her feet dangled slightly above the floor.
She raised her gaze, passing a pair of lips down-turned into a sinfully attractive frown and a nose with a bump hinting at a previous break, until she met the most stunning pair of emerald eyes she’d ever seen. The lushest set of natural, black lashes framed them, putting the ones she bought for herself to shame.
Why was she jealous of a stranger’s lashes?
“You should pay attention to where you’re going.” The stranger’s gruff tone made it clear he didn’t appreciate being bumped into, but the gravely quality and the sexy Irish lilt played havoc on her senses, almost like a magical spell wrapped around them, inexorably entangling them together.
She shook her head of the whimsical thought and plastered a wide smile on her face. It was her signature, “I can win the grumpiest of the grumpiest ogre over” smile. The same one that helped her win over donors for her charity, MUEVE, better known as Manifieste Una Espléndida Vida Exitosa.
He stiffened, but she ignored the tightening hold on her back.
“You are totally right. I swear I need an alert system whenever I approach objects and people. The world would be a much safer place,” she laughingly nodded, then began a cursory pat-down of his chest, shoulders, and arms. “I hope I didn’t cause too much injury.”
He loosened his grip until her feet landed softly on the tile floor, pink tinging his cheeks.
“It’s a good thing you’re so sturdy. I’ve taken down some pretty big structures—”
He grabbed her hands, the motion so abrupt it halted her speech and caused her to freeze while staring into his eyes again.
Her heart slowed to a sluggish thud before returning with a vicious beat she feared her handsome savior could hear. As hard as it was, she tore her gaze from him. That’s when she realized why he’d seized control of her hands. She’d lowered them to his waist. Any lower and he would file assault charges.
Heat flooded her cheeks, which only made her nervous chatter worse. His measly eight words earlier didn’t help matters either.
“Well then, it appears you are good to go. I’ll be on my way, but if you’re ever in the market for a near-fatal person-on-person collision, I’m the woman for the job. I’ll be easy to spot, as I’ll probably barrel into another poor, unsuspecting individual who only wants to go about his business,” Yomaris said, backing away.
And, of course, she backed into a wall with an audible thud. She closed her eyes and groaned from the added embarrassment. When she peeked at him, he hadn’t moved; his body as imposing as when he’d held her close and his expression as closed off as when he’d reprimanded her. But the twitching at the corner of his lips assured her he would not tear her a new asshole.
Good enough.
She quickly passed him with a friendly wave. “Good luck with the moving masses.”
Five minutes later, she had a room booked that guaranteed her a bed instead of being relegated to the couch by Honor, who hogged the bed in her sleep. She sat at the hotel’s bar, the stranger still preoccupying her thoughts.
Get your head right. He isn’t why you’re here.
She needed the reminder that she was here to celebrate and indulge since she no longer had to drive home. Although she counted sweet-talking donors as an asset for MUEVE, she still struggled to get enough funding. But the universe decided to shine its warm, glittery goodness her way and bestow her with a valuation beyond her imaginings.
The haul she’d just stolen…er relocated to new owners was the best yet. The proceeds would help foster kids like her and her siblings adapt to life after they aged out of the system.
For a year, at least.
A good thing, too. As skilled as she was, thoughts of her last foster parents always overshadowed the jobs she took to help those around her. All the loss, pain, and suffering she survived as a child into early adulthood led her to where she was now. A successful CEO overseeing the mental, emotional, physical, and financial well-being of young adults leaving foster care.
Also, a woman about to commemorate her most recent “donation” with many adult libations. Definitely not a woman who wished to see what a strange man’s frown flipped into a smile would do to his captivating green eyes.
There she went, thinking about him again because of some mysterious pull she couldn’t explain.
This is the time to celebrate and reflect!
Yes, she should reflect. She took the last sip of her drink and ordered another with the raise of her finger. The bartender sidled up to her with a smile. She engaged him in a little flirtation while he poured her cocktail, but he was called away soon after.
Yomaris shrugged. It was expected on a busy night like tonight. She wished him lots of tips until it was time for her refill.
Then she turned her attention inward. Reflecting on completed jobs always helped hone her skills for the next heist and reassured her that she’d left nothing behind to tie her to the crime. With this one, she’d gotten the location and information that the owner was out of town from her usual underground contact.
When she entered the mansion, she recognized its potential. The house was a thief’s dream.
The owner had to be a man. Dark, heavy furniture filled the large rooms with a modern and masculine feel. Steel accents and hidden gadgets were everywhere. His place was a challenge that had given her a high she was still riding.
When she made her way through, she thanked her contact, who had more than earned his ten percent cut. The home had a treasure trove of art and jewelry. She couldn’t stop the impulse to take as much as she could pack in her vehicle.
As she relived her steps, going from room to room, she analyzed where she could improve, what tools would make things easier with the next job; the usual after-heist review list she put herself through.
Nothing from her review left her feeling uneasy. With renewed peace of mind, she focused on her drink again, settling enough to celebrate. She had another four or five more drinks to go before she turned in, so she snagged the bartender’s attention.
“You want something different this time, sweetheart?” he asked.
“I sure do. I’m ready for a serious drink,” Yomaris smiled and winked at the man.
“I aim to please. What can I getcha?”
“I want a Suck, Bang, and Blow,” she said in a sultry tone that made the bartender flush.
“Fucking hell! Don’t even think about pouring that for her,” the grumpy Irish voice from her earlier interlude said behind her.
She whirled her stool until she faced the owner of the voice, and…yep, he still wore that frown that shouldn’t be as devastating to her senses as it was. She didn’t even have the alcohol to blame for her body’s reaction, since she’d only had two weak drinks to begin with. Only tequila could mimic the warmth running through her bloodstream, and he’d just nixed the cocktail with fermented agave as an ingredient.
No worries. Señor Malhumorado would not dampen her good mood.
She turned on her megawatt smile. “Well, look who’s still upright and sturdy. I swear on this bar’s good name that you can walk about without fear of me bruising your impressive physique.” Yomaris winked.
A few seconds of awkward silence passed, during which he checked his watch. She opened her mouth to fill the quiet, but he grabbed her elbow.
“Come with me.” Without waiting for her response, he pulled until she stumbled after him to an empty corner booth. He gently pushed on her shoulders until she sat, then he seated himself.
She had to scooch further into the corner to accommodate him and prevent herself from being pressed against his body. Not that she would mind. He had an impressive body, but satisfying her curiosity was more important at the moment.
“This was a good choice. I mean, if you manhandled me into this booth so you can talk to me without me accidentally damaging your person, I commend you. And with your arm span, you’d be able to hold me at a good distance at the slightest warning.”
She would have continued on, even as the ticking in his jaw proved he was losing patience with her. But a waitress chose that moment to deliver glasses of water and bread.
Once the woman placed everything in front of Yomaris and the stranger, the waitress asked, “Can I take your order?” After one glance at Yomaris’ companion, the waitress glued her eyes to the table’s surface.
“Come back in five minutes,” her taciturn amigo shot at the server.
The woman fled with a nod, as if she’d escaped a dangerous situation.
Curious.
The man shoved the basket of bread in front of her. She took that to mean eat. So, she selected a hot, yeasty roll and dug in. His gesture contradicted his surly behavior, exposing a level of caring that resonated with Yomaris on a deep level.
“You saw her reaction. That’s typically most people’s initial reaction to me.” The man pinned her with his glare.
“O…okay? That’s good to know?”
His nostrils flared.
“Do you want me to be afraid of you? I suppose I can try my hand at it, but I probably won’t be much good. In high school, my drama class voted unanimously for me to work the box office. But if you want to risk being front row and center to my horrible performance, me da igual.”
Instead of answering, the black-haired dream drank from his glass.
Yomaris leaned forward. “Are you a secret masochist?”
Water sprayed from his mouth and he began coughing. She started pounding on his back while wiping the table. Once he settled and glared at her, she sat back and continued her line of questioning.
“Is that why you don’t mind putting your life at risk by sitting this close to me? Even coming to your rescue just now could have been more hazardous to your health.”
“Stop. Talking.” Redness slowly receded from his face, his recent bout of coughing leaving him none the worse for wear.
Finally, he turned his emerald gaze on her and began crowding her until her back hit the wall and she had nowhere to run.
“You should fear me, but you don’t, and that intrigues me.” His gaze traveled to her gold, black, and brown twists.
If the savage quirk to his lips and the darkening of his eyes were any indication, he was not having very innocent thoughts about her hair. Maybe he envisioned his hands wrapping around the strands and pulling her head back so he could take advantage of her gasp and plunder her mouth. Maybe while he was at it, flooding her mouth with his taste, marking her as his, he also happened to—
“I think after your little grope session, I’m not alone in my thoughts.” His words shocked her from the little daydream that now had her squirming in her damp panties.
She followed his gaze to the nipples poking out of her shirt, advertising her body’s need to be touched. She quickly covered her chest by folding her arms and cleared her throat.
“It would be kind of stupid to deny my reaction to you, but I must object to your allegation. I did not grope you. I assessed you for injuries. As a concerned citizen, I was only looking out for my fellow man.”
“And this fellow man is going to have to insist that you repeat that performance. Nude. And for as many times as it takes to satisfy us.”
Yomaris swallowed what liquid remained in her mouth. Because she was more than considering his proposal. Her body had screamed “hell, yeah” as soon as he finished his proposition. Her mind was running to catch up, but something had hamstrung her on the mad dash to yesville.
“I don’t even know your name,” she said.
For the first time, he smiled. Straight, even teeth that said if she were good, he’d be just as good to her, but he would much prefer her to be naughty. A new beat began drumming below her waist, and wetness seeped from her folds.
She was doomed.
“You want my name? Earn it.”
At that moment, their waitress reappeared. Before she could utter a word, el Señor, which Yomaris decided she would call the mysterious stranger since he refused to give her a name, held her attention prisoner with his gaze and said, “She’ll have the amberjack.” To Yomaris, he said, “It will provide you with the energy you’ll need for tonight without being too heavy on your stomach.”
Yomaris, whose glance hadn’t wavered from the enigmatic stranger, swallowed again. Had her earlier call with Honor infected her with her sister’s penchant for making rash, illogical decisions? “I have a room upstairs,” Yomaris offered, silently confirming that she and Honor had more in common than she’d previously thought.
And damn her if she wasn’t looking forward to earning this man’s name tonight.
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Caught Red Handed which will be available on October 21st.
Because you deserve this and more
My Media Addiction
TV I'm watching: Sweet Magnolias. I’m four episodes in and it is giving me Gilmore Girls vibe, but adults. Even with the nostalgia from the vibes, I’m not into it as much as I thought it would be. Although there are three main characters, the conflict for the one woman of color is the least developed. It’s affected my ability to enjoy the other women’s stories and I’m not sure if this is a series I’ll continue watching. We’ll see.
Movies I've watched: End of the Road. I love me some Queen Latifah, but this was not the movie. How do you say a movie was written by white people about black people without saying it? Okay, I may be too harsh, but seriously, the racist characters were so one-dimensional, and the number of stupid decisions that Black people would never make…If you want a frustrating experience, enjoy. Even the moments where Queen kicked butt weren’t enough to offset the aggravatingly dumb decisions and justifications the main family made. My hair is too precious to be watching movies like this. I will not rip one more follicle out.
What I read: Hidden Witness. If you remember, I mentioned I had just started reading this in my last What I’m reading update. I’ve since finished it and haven’t completed another book in the interim. So, what did I think? I loved the premise and the mystery, but felt that it got put on the back burner to give more space for the love story between Jeff and Sierra. I’m debating if I should continue the series. How about you? Have you read the series? Would you recommend that I forge ahead?
What I’m reading: Alessandro DeLuca. So…Since I signed up to be a contributing author to the series, I thought it would be a good idea to reread these books. This one is by Cassie Verano. So far I’m enjoying the read. I love a woman bent on revenge.
Featured Release
Heartless Heroes is LIVE on all retailers. Grab your copy from your favorite retailer and support these authors as they attempt to hit a list!! Every sale counts and at the price of $0.99 you can't get a boxed set this good, for this cheap often.
Some heroes want to save the world. Some will burn it down for the one they love.
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Check out these steamy reads
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Hot for a man in uniform LOL Mafia X-mas me Cover me in darkness
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