She’s a closet designer for the rich and famous and he’s a broken-hearted captain of a pro-hockey team. Neither of them is looking for love.
Ashlyn
An unexpected trip home to Maple Falls gets even more surprising when I inadvertently become acting mayor.
Add a huge crisis and a smoking hot hockey player, and I’m in over my head before I know it.
I’m only here for a short time, so I will not fall for Mr. Tall, dark, and adorable. I don’t care how helpful and kind he is. Long-distance never works, so the answer is no.
Jamie
I’m sick of the press hounding me about my last relationship, so when the opportunity arose to captain a new hockey team in smalltown Washington, I jumped at it.
Too bad I didn’t ask more questions before moving here, like, “Are there bears, and will they be living in my backyard?”
Then there’s Ashlyn. The last thing I expected was to meet a funny, sassy, and good-hearted woman like her. I swore off love after my last heartbreak, but my heart is acting like it missed the memo.
There’s no way I’m going to pursue her. Unless of course, fate has intervened, and we were meant to be…
***
Fake-Off with Fate is a slow-burn, friends to love, fake-dating small town hockey romcom in the Love in Maple Falls series. Add a town conflict, missing mayor, and bear infestation and you will be laughing and cheering your way to a happy ending!
Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you’ll enjoy them best in order.
The mayor is ten minutes late for our dinner meeting. I figure I’ll give him another five and then I’ll go ahead and order my food to go.
I’m about to signal to the waitress when a very pretty woman wearing jeans and an orange sweater approaches my booth. She’s average height but not at all average looking. Her hair is a touch lighter than classic auburn but it’s not what I’d call red. “Hi there,” she says while sitting down across from me. “I’m Ashlyn.”
Well, this is awkward. I wonder if she thinks I’m her blind date or something. “Jamie Hayes,” I say, expecting her to realize her mistake.
“I know. You’re the captain of the Ice Breakers, right?”
“I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“I doubt it, because I don’t know you.” She takes a sip of the water glass the waitress left for the mayor.
“If you don’t know me, then why are you sitting with me?”
The question seems to startle her because she looks up and stares at me like a deer in the headlights of oncoming traffic. “I forgot you didn’t know that I was meeting you instead of my father.”
“You’re Mayor Thompkins’ daughter?” Holy heck, is the mayor trying to set me up with his daughter? I don’t care how pretty she is, that’s not cool.
“My dad got stuck in a meeting and he asked me to come in his place,” she explains.
“So, you’ve been tasked with trying to talk me into co-chairing Maple Fest?” If I had to guess, I’d say this was intentional manipulation on the mayor’s part. Little does he know I have no problem saying no to an attractive woman.
“I couldn’t care less if you co-chaired Maple Fest,” she says. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t do it. My dad is a lunatic about that event.”
Now I’m super confused. “So, you’re here to tell me all about Maple Falls?”
“Nope,” she says, before turning her menu over to look at it.
“Why are you here then?”
Author Bio:
Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.
Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.
She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.
Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.
Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.
Marteeka Karland is here to tell us about Pain, Kiss of Death MC, a motorcycle club romance featuring suspense and an age gap.
Read on for details....
__________________________
(Kiss of Death MC)
Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Age Gap
Date Published: August 22, 2025
Redemption doesn't come free. And sometimes, the price is paid in blood.
Pain -- When I walked out of Terre Haute Prison, I wasn't the same man who
went in. I've got blood on my hands, but I'm determined to pay my debt and
take back what's left of my life. Once I'm home, inside the walls of the
motorcycle club that welcomed me when I had no one, I have more hope than I
dared to have the whole time I was incarcerated. Problem is, the past doesn't
stay buried. When I recognized Nadine, a young woman from my past, and got to
know the woman she'd become, I'd convinced myself there's no way to be worthy
of a woman like her. Until she's put squarely in the crosshairs of a situation
she knows nothing about. That's when it's time to earn my road name and bring
her enemies a world of hurt.
Nadine -- I know better than to fall for an ex-con. I've seen the worst of
humanity from inside prison walls where I work as a nurse. But something about
Dr. Raven, or Pain, as they call him, gets under my skin. There was a time
when he was my hero, the person I wanted to be most like. I admit I might have
a huge case of hero worship and the tiniest little crush on him. I don't know
the rules in his world outside the prison, but I know I need to learn fast.
Especially since corrupt cops seem to be hell-bent on cutting in on the Kiss
of Death territory. It sometimes feels like I'm fighting just to breathe. But
the scariest part? It's not the blood, the bullets, or the bodies. It's that I
might actually be falling in love with Ford "Pain" Raven.
A gritty, steamy romance featuring a protective alpha, a fierce heroine who
refuses to break, and the family you choose when the world tries to tear you
apart.
EXCERPT
Pain
The minute I stepped foot in the infirmary, the smell of antiseptic hit me
like a damn freight train. It’s the same scent that used to greet me
every morning when I started my day as a surgical intern five years earlier.
That scent had been soothing to me then, proof of how clean and organized my
environment was. But now it’s a black stench, tainted with the putridity
of this godforsaken place. You’d think after months of being in prison,
I would have been immune to the smell, but I guess some things just stuck with
you. Besides, every hospital -- or infirmary -- had a unique scent underneath
all the bleach and other chemical cleaners. This infirmary was no different.
I was escorted by a guard who probably ate doughnuts for every meal and kicked
puppies for fun, but hey, I’m not judging or anything. He shoved me into
a chair, cuffed me to the table, and disappeared, probably off to shake down
an old lady or something. I seriously doubted he was capable of anything more
strenuous.
“See ya around, Brutus.” I lifted my chin at the rotund man. He
frowned at me but I just grinned. I liked to pick one guard at a place and
harass him until he broke. I was a surgeon and, if I was honest, I
didn’t think I saw psychiatrists as “real” doctors.
I’m ashamed to admit it now for multiple reasons. Mostly because
I’ve been in places in the prison system where there is more true mental
illness than I ever thought could possibly be concentrated in a single
building, but also because I’ve learned a new appreciation for how a
good psychiatrist could get into someone’s head. It was a powerful
feeling. I had no desire to fuck with someone’s head -- much -- but
teasing them a little was too fun to resist. The guards anyway. Occasionally
I’d fuck with other staff members or the occasional prisoner if he was a
pain in my ass, but mostly it was the guards.
As I sat there, I caught a glimpse of a nurse. She looked like a tiny, curvy
angel in this sea of steel and misery. Honey-colored hair pulled up in a messy
bun, and those gray eyes that seem to see right through me. For some reason, I
don’t associate those eyes with a woman. I knew I’d seen those
eyes before, but for the life of me, I couldn’t place her.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Raven,” she said as she approached me, and
holy shit, I recognized that tinkling voice. Then her eyes widened and she
winced. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, obviously devastated
at her inadvertent mistake. We both knew I was no longer a doctor. While a
felony conviction didn’t always mean someone had to surrender their
medical license, doing so had been a condition of my plea agreement. One I
didn’t fight even though my brother tried to get me to. With anyone
else, or if I didn’t know this woman, I’d have thought it was
intentional, designed to either make me feel small by reminding me of how far
I’d fallen or to see if they could make me snap with mental torment. But
not Nadine Brentner.
“It’s all right, Ms. Brentner. I know it wasn’t
intentional.”
Her jaw drops. “You remember my name?” Real wonder and a touch of
hero worship tinted her expression. She looked more than a little starstruck
and for the first time I could ever remember, I wanted to puff my chest out in
pride. Because some girl I never knew very well was happily surprised I
remembered her fucking name. Maybe Knuckles, the fucker, was rubbing off on
me. I’d heard about him and his woman and how disgustingly mushy they
could be. Only this wasn’t my woman. Also, when I knew her, she was
still in high school, volunteering in the hospital’s Explorer program, a
“class” in which the students volunteered at the hospital in
different departments so they could see what the world of healthcare was like
and outside the classroom.
I couldn’t help but smile. Nadine had been a ray of sunshine from the
first day I saw her in my OR waiting room. We didn’t interact, though I
tried to acknowledge her when I saw her. She had been handing out snacks and
taking family to their loved ones as they came out of recovery. It seemed like
she had a natural ability to empathize with those around her. On more than one
occasion, I saw her help calm someone down when no one else could.
Administration had been angry with her for stepping in. She was underage and a
student, but she’d been there at the time and had already made a
connection with the woman. I didn’t see her after that and I’d
wondered on more than one occasion if she’d been moved to another
department because of that incident or if she was simply finished with her
class.
“Of course, I remember you.” I tried to drop my “Pain”
persona and adopt some kind of gruff, long forgotten version of “Dr.
Raven” she might remember. “You were one of the few Healthcare
Explorers to come through my area who I thought might make a career in
medicine someday.”
She seemed startled before she gave me a smile filled with wonder. Her eyes
widened and she looked down at the floor. Taking a breath, she met my gaze
again. This time, she looked more settled. Apparently, she hadn’t
thought I’d notice her. Truth was, it was impossible not to notice her.
Nadine Brentner, the teenager, had been beautiful, but like a porcelain doll
you were afraid to touch for fear of breaking her. I appreciated her outer
beauty then, but it was her inner beauty that caused me to remember her. I
don’t think there was ever a time I saw her without a smile.
“I hope I live up to your expectations then.” She smiled as she
pulled a computer in front of her and began typing. “Give me just a
moment,” she mumbled as she continued to peck on the keyboard.
“Stupid thing locked me out again.” She gave me a sheepish grin.
“I took too long and it thought I’d left.” She was muttering
under her breath now and it was almost too cute for words. Mainly because I
could remember her doing much the same thing a few times back when I’d
had a life and an identity. Only thing she’d improved upon was that now,
she seemed to need to stick the tip of her tongue out while she concentrated.
She sat across the small table from me. I was shackled at the ankles and
wrists and secured to a bar bolted in the middle of the steel table. This
might be medical, but I wasn’t sick or injured and the guards
didn’t know me. No one was taking any chances. New face, new place.
As she continued her login, I glanced around the room. The big guard who
brought me here was gone, but there were two other guards. One of them cleared
his throat and frowned in our direction.
Nadine glanced at him before she looked up at me again. This time, her smile
was still polite but not as welcoming. I noticed she seemed nervous now when
she hadn’t before. I made a mental note and waited until Nadine was deep
into her questioning about my medical history and such before I snuck a glance
at the guard. There were no names on their ID badges, but I’d find out
who he was and what beef he had with Nadine. And why the fuck she was scared
of him.
About the Author
Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double
life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated housewife
by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes pleasure in
spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited, vulnerable
heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a blissful
ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her writings are
speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning delight entwined
with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying conclusions that elicit a
sigh from her readers.
Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband
with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for
preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts
(which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with
Marteeka's latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her
website. Don't forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you
with a potpourri of Teeka's beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph
events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.
Niki Mitchell is here to tell us about her contemporary Western romance Goldi's Grumpy Cowboy, Cowboys of Sunrise Ridge Book 1.
Read on for details.
________________________
Cowboys of Sunrise Ridge, Book 1
Contemporary Western Romance
Date Published: August 4, 2025
What happens when a runaway baker meets a grumpy cowboy? It's a recipe
for plenty of sparks and a fairytale romance.
Dumping her cheating fiancé was a good decision—getting stranded
in Wyoming, not so much. The silver lining? A breathtaking ranch and a hunky
cowboy, if only he wasn’t so broody.
Luke Wolfe likes his life simple—running Sunrise Ridge Ranch, keeping to
himself, and avoiding anything that even remotely resembles love.
He doesn’t need company.
He certainly doesn’t need a stubborn city girl messing with his
perfectly ordered life.
But Goldi Summers turns his world upside down in the best way.
Just when Luke’s ready to admit he wants forever, an accident erases her
memory of him. Can he make her heart remember what her mind has forgotten?
About the Author
Niki Mitchell writes children’s books along with contemporary,
paranormal. fantasy, and historical time-travel romance. Married for over
thirty years and a romantic at heart, she enjoys writing about strong female
characters in unusual settings. When she isn’t playing with her cats,
she enjoys reading, taking walks, water aerobics, photography, and traveling.
Alina Jacobs is here to tell us about Mr. Not Your Savior!, The Seattle Svenssons #2, contemporary romantic comedy.
There's also a great giveaway.
__________________
Mr. Not Your Savior!
Alina Jacobs
(The Seattle Svenssons, #2)
Publication date: August 5th 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
When your mean boss asks you if you’re ready to admit defeat—and move out of his car…you wonder where you went wrong in life.
Two weeks ago, I was an optimistic office girl with a Pinterest vision board and a dream.
Now? I’m standing in a billionaire’s penthouse office, trying not to throw a donut at his smug, perfect face.
McCarthy Svensson is my new boss-slash-personal tormentor.
Though he thinks he’s my only protector.
He’s wrong. He’s way worse than the merry-go-round of ex fiancés who may or may not be stalking me, including ex-fiancé number one of three, who fakes his death then pops up out of a casket. Alive.
Yes, I have a messy dating life.
I like to think it makes me unique and quirky!
He doesn’t seem to think so.
When he growls, “I’m not helping you until you admit you need me,” I slam a binder against his chest and smile sweetly.
“Pick your fake girlfriend, buddy. Deadline’s midnight.”
He smirks. “As long as she’s nothing like you.”
Cool.
Now all I have to do is convince this ice-cold bastard that I’m exactly what he needs…
No not like that! I’m trying to save his reputation and my job.
And I’m not saving either if I keep letting him finger me in the back seat of his limo…gulp.
Stalkers, hot but toxic bosses, a granny with a flamethrower… This full-length, stand-alone, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy with all of the crazy laughs and of course the perfect happily ever after!
I lean over. I might not be pissing on Brock’s grave, but I am going to spit on him. Symbolically, mostly. I don’t want to go to jail for defiling a corpse. Bethany really would fire me then.
But as I lean over, there’s motion.
I’m literally losing it, I think.
His corpse hasn’t just smiled, has it?
“B-B—Brock?” I stammer, then I scream when a cold hand shoots up and grabs my neck.
“Vampire! Help! Zombie!” I slap at him.
Still screaming, I scramble back, tripping over chairs, falling and banging my knees. My dress hem rides up my stress-eating-enhanced thighs as I try to escape that unholy thing in the coffin.
It’s sitting up with cold, lifeless eyes.
“Call the police! Call the army! Help!” I look around wildly for someone with a flamethrower or a gun.
Except… I’m the only one upset. No one is freaked out that Brock has risen from the dead. No one is screaming from fear. Instead, they’re… laughing?
“Oh my god!” Brock is clutching his sides. “Oh my fucking god, your face!”
His friends from the YouTube channel are circling vultures with cameras as everyone howls at me.
“Did you get her falling?” One of the camera men motions to the other.
I grab my skirt. “What the hell? Are you kidding me? This was a prank?”
“I can’t believe you fell for it!” Brock’s laughing hysterically in the casket while I sob on the floor.
My ex leaps out of the coffin and swaggers over to me. “Surprise! I always knew you cared, baby.”
The cameras are in my face as he crouches down in front of me.
“Aww, you’re crying over me. Come here, give me a hug.”
I’m in shock; I don’t know what I’m doing as I let him wrap his arms around me.
My ex leans in to kiss me on the head.
“Hey, man, you’re ruining the shot,” one of the cameramen complains.
“I don’t give a fuck about your fucking bullshit YouTube channel.” A massive arm wraps around my waist, then I’m yanked upright and back.
I cling to McCarthy as he holds me, my legs jelly.
The room is spinning.
I’m going to puke.
I left Brock after he played one too many stupid jokes on me—and now this?
“Why would you do this?” I whimper. “Make me think you’re dead?”
“The content, man.”
“Don’t fucking talk to her.” McCarthy tucks me protectively to his side.
Author Bio:
I write the kind of books I love—romantic comedies featuring snarly guys with hearts of gold, kick-ass heroines, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after! Also wine. And cupcakes.
When I’m not writing I can be found drinking tea, surrounded by my massive to-be-read pile! So many books...
You can connect with me on social media or find information on my books at my website.
Sign up for my newsletter so that you can get information about new releases, giveaways, and more!
Celia Kyle and her fellow authors are here to tell us about Tales From Planet Sanos, a multi-author scifi romance omnibus.
There's also a great giveaway.
_______________________
The future is grim. Seven human women, trained in survival
and negotiation are being permitted to land on Planet Sanos with one goal:
secure a future for the humans of Earth… at any cost.
Tales From Planet
Sanos
A Multi-Author Science Fiction Romance Omnibus
with stories by
Celia Kyle, Chloe Graves, Elin Wyn, Holly Hanzo,
Lara Roth, Mary Ashe, Robin O’Connor
The future is grim.
The Earth’s oceans are poison to humans, and pure water, untainted by the
generations of pollution, is scarce and coveted. Our only hope—Earth’s only
hope—rests in the landing capsule gradually descending from the generational
spaceship, the USS Legacy. Seven human women, trained in survival and
negotiation are being permitted to land on Planet Sanos with one goal: secure a
future for the humans of Earth… at
any cost.
This SPECIAL EDITION print omnibus has a glossy cover, printed edges, digital
signatures, and custom artwork throughout. It contains the following Planet
Sanos shared world novellas:
Taken by the Alien Merking by Celia Kyle
Taken by the Siren King by Chloe Graves
Taken by the Storm King by Elin Wyn
Taken by the Alien Kraken King by Holly Hanzo
Taken by the Leviathan King by Lara Roth
Taken by the Merrow King by Mary Ashe
Taken by the Alien Triton King by Robin O'Connor
Ex-dance teacher, former accountant and erstwhile
collectible doll salesperson, Celia Kyle now writes paranormal and science
fiction romances as well as urban fantasy. It goes without saying that there's
always a happily-ever-after for her characters, even if there are a few road
bumps along the way. Today she lives in central Florida and writes full-time
with the support of her loving husband and two finicky cats.
Patricia Leavy is here to tell us about her romance Cinematic Destinies.
There's also a great giveaway.
___________________________
Patricia Leavy is giving away copies of CINEMATIC DESTINIES, her upcoming romance from She Writes Press. How to get yours? It's easy... just complete the Rafflecopter below and you'll receive one from the author! Plus, one lucky entrant will receive a $150 Amazon gift card!
So, what's the book about? Here's the info:
For fans of Tessa Bailey and Hannah Grace, Cinematic Destinies is a feel-good, contemporary romance about a trio of adult children searching for love and beauty in the shadow of their parents’ legendary Hollywood fairy-tale romance.
Legendary actor Finn Forrester and his wife philosopher Ella Sinclair Forrester met on the location shoot for Jean Mercier’s film Celebration. The world has been captivated by their fairy-tale romance since Finn famously proposed on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. As the couple now prepares to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary, they wonder if their children will ever find love.
Eldest daughter Betty is excelling in a medical residency program in New York City—and has convinced herself that distancing herself from emotions is the path to success. Youngest son Albert, a recent college graduate, is trying to find his footing in Boston as he struggles with his identity. Free-spirited Georgia, her mother’s spitting image and an actress following in her father’s footsteps, has been cast in Jean Mercier’s final film, mysteriously titled Beauty. When she arrives on set in Iceland and meets her costar, sparks fly. Is history repeating itself? How has growing up in the shadow of the world’s most iconic love story affected each of the Forrester children?
Reviews
“If you’re a romantic with a brain and a heart, this is your jam . . . I closed the book with a full heart and a goofy grin.” Literary Titan, 5-star review
“Cinematic Destinies is a stunning and poignant celebration of romance, the magic of movies, and life itself. The exotic Icelandic film set, well-drawn characters, and smart writing make this book impossible to put down . . . This is a gorgeous novel.” —Laurel Richardson, author of Lone Twin
“Overall, the writing, the characters, the little nods of sizzle, and the brilliant family dynamic make this book a winner. Very highly recommended.”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review
“Leavy’s latest must-read novel features a trio of romantic storylines about the quest for love and identity in the shadow of a Hollywood fairy tale . . . Cinematic Destinies is a spellbinding ode to love, art, and what it means to live.” —Mary E. Weems, author of Blackeyed
About the Author:
Patricia Leavy is an award-winning, best-selling author. Formerly Associate Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College, she has published more than fifty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than one hundred book honors. Her most recent novel, Shooting Stars Above, was featured on People “10 Romance Books to Read After Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry.” She has also received career awards from the National Art Education Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, and other organizations. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” In 2024 the London Arts-Based Research Centre established “The Patricia Leavy Award for Arts-Based Research.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.
Patricia Leavy will award a free digital copy of her upcoming book CINEMATIC DESTINIES to the first 7500 people who enter the Rafflecopter and one lucky entrant will receive a $150 Amazon gift card.
Marteeka Karland is here to tell us about her paranormal romance Memphis Heat.
Read on for details...
______________________
Paranormal Romance
Date Published: August 1, 2025
Publisher: Changeling Press
Memphis, Tennessee. The Russian mob has declared war on the MPD, leaving a
team of dead cops in their wake, and the city of Memphis caught in their
crossfire.
Stakeout (Memphis Heat 1)
Jarod took a bullet to the chest. But he
didn’t die. While he was bleeding out, he was bitten. By a werewolf. Now
he can smell his partner’s attraction, but his bite didn’t exactly
come with instructions. Two partners who always have each other’s backs
share everything -- but the one thing they need to share the most.
Streetwise (Memphis Heat 2)
When Officer Butch Carson and his rookie
trainee, Regan “Sundance” O’Malley, are caught between the
MPD and the Russians, they have no one they can turn to but each other. The
more they learn about being werewolves, the tighter their own bond becomes.
And the more determined they are to stop the assassins who nearly added them
to the growing list of victims.
Strikeforce (Memphis Heat 3)
Lt. Jamie Callahan’s convinced
there’s a mole in their pack, and he and his new partner must figure out
who set them up -- and who’s responsible for the deaths of their former
lieutenants.
Takedown (Memphis Heat 4)
Two packs fight for the heart of the city. The
Russian mob and the MPD stand at odds, the city of Memphis caught in the
middle. The new Alphas plan to leave their enemies in the dust. But it’s
their friends they should be watching out for.
When the final takedown comes, there will only be one Alpha standing.
"You're a real asshole, you know that, don't you?"
"Yes, dear," Jarod answered with a suppressed chuckle in his tone.
She was going to smack him any moment now. "That. That right there. That's the
reason you're paying alimony to two ex-wives. Fuck you and your yes, dear.
I've had shorter dry spells between engagements. I. Need. To. Fuck. Now!"
"You're just bored."
Belle squirmed in her chair, practically grinding her pussy against the worn
upholstery. "No shit. What gave it away?"
"Told you not to come. ADD and stakeouts don't go well together."
She pointed the butt of her service revolver at him, resisting the urge to
throw it. "Somebody has to watch your back. Besides. You used to be better at
keeping me distracted."
A sideways grin quirked his face. "We used to have... interesting... ways of
keeping ourselves entertained, didn't we? Not exactly professional, but..."
"Used to being the operative phrase here. What the hell is wrong with you,
anyway?"
"Wrong with me? I got shot, remember?"
As if she could forget. "Yeah. And by all reports you should have died. But
you didn't. And ever since you've been treating me like..."
"I'm trying to act like a professional. I've been treating you like a cop.
Like my partner."
He attempted to look offended at that. Nearly pulled it off. Professional, my
ass. "We were a hell of a lot more than just partners, Jarod. You can't deny
that."
"Yeah, well, maybe if I'd been acting a little more like a cop and a lot less
like your lover, we wouldn't have been in a position where you could have
gotten killed." The bitterness in his tone surprised her.
She kept her voice low and steady, bottling up the frustrated anger that
threatened to overwhelm her. "I wasn't the one who got shot, Jarod."
"Could have. Could have been you first up that alley, just as easy as me. And
it would have been my fault."
This argument was getting them nowhere. Damn it, she was horny as hell and he
was right there! "Shut up and fuck me --" she reached for her police baton --
"Or I'll do it myself."
Binoculars focused on the dilapidated warehouse across the street, he didn't
even glance her way. "Go ahead."
Did he think she wouldn't? Staring at Jarod's lovely backside, Belle unzipped
her jeans and shimmied them down her hips enough to give herself access to her
pussy lips. It was his own fault. He was tall, handsome, built and reasonably
single, if you didn't count the excess baggage, but she still might have
resisted -- if he didn't smell like liquid sex poured into a cop suit. She
wanted to reach over, undo his belt, and suck his cock right down to the root.
Then they'd see how professional he could be. Fuckhead.
With that thought Belle kicked the jeans the rest of the way off and switched
the baton around so the handle lined up with her pussy. With one thrust she
impaled herself right down to the crossbar.
Fucker. If he didn't get off on that, he was gay.
"Shit, Belle! What the hell are you doing?"
"We're undercover. Normal people do not sit in sleazy, run-down motels next to
vacant buildings for hours at a time and stare at locked doors. Only reason to
be here is to fuck."
As if he'd suddenly gotten into the spirit of things, Jarod reached out and
grabbed her shoulders, throwing her against the window. His mouth found the
juncture of her neck and shoulder, and he bit down with more aggression that
she was used to from him, but she was so horny, she didn't give a shit.
He yanked her head back, and his mouth found hers in a jaw-breaking kiss
before he broke away, pushing her back. "You wanna play? Fine. Your turn to
watch the Russians." He pulled her closer and spun her around. She braced her
hands on the dirty plate glass window...
About the Author
Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double
life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated housewife
by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes pleasure in
spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited, vulnerable
heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a blissful
ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her writings are
speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning delight entwined
with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying conclusions that elicit a
sigh from her readers.
Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband
with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for
preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts
(which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with
Marteeka's latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her
website. Don't forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you
with a potpourri of Teeka's beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph
events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.
