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BREAKING NEWS....Join the excitement!

Passion In Print Press, www.passioninprint.com, is publishing Christina's first contemporary romance novel, A Place To Call Home. See exceprt at end of page...

Hannah O’Leary is running from a past she wants to forget. Arriving in Charleston, SC, she is immediately swept into Austin “Mac” MacDevin’s life when he renovates her property. When fighting their attraction is no longer an option, can Hannah and Mac’s hearts survive a love as vulnerable as them?

 

****COMING SOON FROM THE WILD ROSE PRESS****

OPERATION: SPANK ME              

What begins as a hot and sexy cyber affair quickly turns into the real thing when Lt. Finn Coleman takes a military leave and shows up on Emma Shield's doorstep to fulfill all her fantasies. When Finn discovers Emma isn't who she pretended to be online, it doesn't stop him from seducing her and unraveling a sensual woman who enjoys the kinkier side of sex, spankings and bondage. But Finn is a career military man with a dangerous mission ahead. Falling in love has never been part of his life’s plans. Losing Finn is not part of Emma’s plans.

Look for upcoming books in this exciting new military series from The Wild Rose Press.

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                                                                                             AVAILABLE NOW IN E-BOOK:

Make A Wish and Blow

Make A Wish and Blow is a very hot read!

Two best friends, Cassandra and Daren, have a weekend to explore their sexual attraction. It is Daren’s hope that by introducing Cassandra to the erotic side of sex like bondage and spanking, she will allow herself to embrace her submissive side and allow his Dominant side to finally be satisfied with a woman who matches his sexual appetite. Be sure to get a copy of Make A Wish and Blow to read whether Cassandra and Daren’s weekend of sexual bliss destroys the one thing that means most to both of them…their friendship.

 A contemporary erotic romance available now from: The Wild Rose Press

Excerpt: 

Unlocking her front door, Cassandra turned off the alarm before heading into the kitchen. She poured two glasses of wine and walked into the living room handing Daren his as he sat on the couch. She joined him after kicking off her heels. Her feet were grateful to be free. Curling her legs under her, she faced him and sipped her wine.

He looked so tense that she wanted to massage the stress from his muscles. Her palms tingled at the thought of running over that hard body.

She tried to speak normally but was afraid her voice was breathless from sitting this close to him. “That pizza hit the spot. I was starving. Now, I think we need music. I still have the beat from the club pumping through me,” she quipped, setting her wine glass down before standing and moving over to the stereo. “Any requests?”

“Just that you get that pretty little ass back over here. I owe you a birthday spanking. Or did you think I forgot?”

She smiled back and adjusted the volume so the song wouldn’t drown out their conversation. “You wouldn’t dare.”

He stood after placing his wine glass next to hers and advanced on her, the look on his face both playful and menacing.

She yelped and ran in the opposite direction, but he quickly followed.

“Oh, I dare, Cass. You’ve been testing my patience all night.”

She circled the coffee table. “Really? Too bad. Besides, I thought you said it was a birthday spanking.”

The grin he flashed was devious. “It is. Or it started out as one. Now, I just want to spank you.”

Standing with only the slim table between them, Cass didn’t feel the confidence she boasted.

“You’re going to cream your panties, baby, when I put you across my lap and paddle your bottom.”

She giggled, the vision his words conjured had her backside tingling, begging for his words to be true. Looking at him now, she didn’t doubt that he meant it. But in case he just meant to tease, then she’d give it right back.

Still hovering over the table, she spoke with a hint of breathlessness. “Now that would be an ideal birthday gift. Definitely one to remember.”

He grinned wide, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Then your wish is my command, sweetheart.”

Her heart pounded with expectation. “Oh? Will this spanking be on my bare bottom?”

She was pleased when he inhaled sharply.

His brown eyes sharpened as his lips quirked at the corner. “Would love that, but since this is your first spanking, I’ll allow it over your dress. Since you’ve just turned twenty-nine, I’d say that firm ass of yours is gonna be red hot and glowing by the time I get done. Oh, and, of course, one extra hard spank for good luck.”

“Of course,” she agreed eagerly. “But that’s only if you can catch me.”

She shrieked when he growled and lunged. She ran one way, then the other, managing to avoid his groping hands. But her luck ran out when he simply leaned over the table and locked a powerful arm around her waist and lifted her over the obstacle. His other arm swung under her knees and he cradled her to his chest while her hands clung to his shoulders.

She was giggling so hard, she hardly noticed that he’d walked to the couch. When he placed her on her feet and sat on the couch, she swallowed hard.

Oh, man. This was really going to happen.

Without a word, he hauled her over his lap before she could let out a protest. She gasped in shock, her long, brown hair hanging to the floor and shielding her face. Part of her fantasy was really coming true! Breathe. Just breathe. For Christ’s sake, don’t pass out and ruin the moment, she demanded of herself. But hanging off his legs made her feel silly.

Her hand clung to his pants near his lower leg. “Daren, stop this and let me up.”

“Cass,” Daren’s low voice hovered near her ear. “I want you to enjoy this. I need you to trust me, baby. Okay?”

“Y-yes,” she said, wondering if she could actually go through with this when her pussy was already convulsing sharply. If she could only come right now, then she could enjoy the spanking instead of being strung as taut as a yo-yo. As it was, her body was on fire, and everywhere Daren touched was pure pleasurable torture. Even the way his hand held her on his lap was arousing.

“Cass?”

“Ummm.”

“Baby, I’m gonna enjoy spanking you. It’ll feel a bit uncomfortable at first but, if you trust me, it’ll be very pleasurable. Trust me to do this right. But if you really and truly want me to stop, just say stop. I promise that I will instantly.”

It took her a moment to realize his hand was resting on her ass as he talked. She was now draped across her best friend’s lap—the man she’d lusted after for too long to remember—with her ass right under his nose.

She squirmed automatically. “Daren, maybe this isn’t a good idea. I don’t want my dress ruined.”

“I’ll buy you another one.”

“That’s not the point. The point is…ow!” He was really spanking her. Oh. My. God!

“That’s one,” he announced smugly.

“Daren!”

Without warning, his large hand landed on her right cheek. The pain was noticeable, but not unbearable. Her pussy reacted immediately, tightening and throbbing. Another spank landed on her left cheek. His hand rubbed over her dress before landing two much harder slaps. After each set of spanks, Daren caressed her bottom and the intimate gesture shot fire through her belly to her cunt where her cream already coated her pussy lips. Her vaginal walls quivered with every stroke he landed on her ass and the intense need to come robbed the breath from her lungs.

“Happy Birthday, baby. Hope all your wishes come true.”

God, if he’d just stick that hard cock pressing against her thigh into her throbbing pussy, one of those dreams would come true. Before she could finish her thoughts, his hand picked up the pace and the caresses became fewer. The burn was better than she’d imagined. The even tempo made the wet folds of her pussy convulse, keeping rhythm with his hand. He showed no mercy with his evenly paced spanks, alternating globes. She loved every second.

 

3 Stars from RT Magazine: September 2010 issue:

"This cat-and-mouse game between two people who desire each other heats up the pages and also goes deeper into their emotions as they come to grips with their obligations." Donna M. Brown

Lexile of Night Owl Reviews has given this book 4 out of 5 stars!  

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=6160

"I spent a fair amount of this book blushing furiously from the heat that Daren and Cassandra generate together.  Even before they got to the actual act of sex, Daren's flirtatious tone (and inner possessive thoughts) and Cassandra's half-flirty/half what the heck is going on here attitude set the tone of the story quite well."

 

 Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews gave this book 4.5 cherries out of 5 cherries!

         

"The writing is fantastic, allowing you to experience the intense longing Daren and Cass feel for one another, while the sex scenes blister. Each encounter is surpassed by the next, and I couldn’t wait to see how Ms. James kicked it up a notch. You’ll writhe like mad and fan yourself uncontrollably while reading this naughty and delightful erotic romance, and you’ll enjoy every wicked moment of it. This is the kind of story that increases the heart rate and keeps you coming back for more. If you’re looking for a book that will spice things up, Make A Wish and Blow." www.longandshortreviews.com

 

Rating: 4 Diamonds  Reviewer: Gabrielle

"It is Cassandra’s birthday but she is far from celebrating more like moping about a certain man in her life. Thinking about her best friend Daren and trying to forget her attraction to him she decides to stay home this year and drink by herself. It is her birthday after all and she gets to choose what she wants to do. A surprise visit from Daren has Cassandra’s head spinning especially with his offer to take her away for the weekend for some hot sex and fun. What will she do? Cassandra and Daren have a great relationship as best friends that develops into much more before the weekend is over. Cassandra is a headstrong and stubborn woman. Daren is a great man who is in love and willing to do everything he can to show it. As you read this story you find yourself rooting for Daren hoping that he will break down the barriers around Cassandra’s heart. As hot as the sex was in this book the love they both have for each other shines through. I loved the banter between the two as Cassandra tries to relax and be the submissive for Daren. You take an emotional ride in this book as Cassandra learns to be free with herself and enjoy the submissive lifestyle and you find yourself wishing that she could be as free with her heart as she is with her sex life. With characters so full of depth and emotion this is a book that should not be missed."

Excerpt from Operation: Spank Me

“Emma, if you have any thoughts of saying no, then say it now. It’s your only chance. Once I see you naked, I don’t think I’ll have the ability to not touch you.”

“Then it’s a good thing I want you to fuck me and have no plans to deny you.” She skimmed her fingertips over his freshly-shaven cheek, keeping her touch light. “Take me away, Finn. Take me into my fantasies. I want to live them with you.”

Without a word his hands moved up her sides taking her shirt with them. She totally expected him to shred her clothes from her body, to bury his cock deep inside her with one long thrust. Was she disappointed he didn’t? As exquisite as his slow moves felt, she was dying a slow death waiting to feel him slip his cock into the wetness of her pussy.

She watched his face, the concentration of his movements, like he was mastering a plan. Absorbed in the moment, the usual chill in the air for a spring evening wasn’t noticeable to her heated flesh. She’d even forgotten to turn on the furnace. With Finn this close, she didn’t need artificial means of heat, the warmth from his body was sufficiently keeping her comfortable.

His head bent to lay hard kisses to her shoulder, up her neck to her earlobe. Who knew that was so damn erotic? Her knees weakened with each stroke of his lips against her sensitive skin. As she leaned into his embrace, he easily held her body, keeping her from melting to the floor. Never would she have believed that could happen except in romance novels, if she didn’t feel it for herself now, if she didn’t feel the complete loss of control over her senses, as Finn took her under his spell.

His hand cupped her breasts, those long fingers toying with her nipple through the bra’s pink lace. Arching her back, she pressed against his touch, the sheer magnitude of what was happening hitting her. Finn Coleman was in her bedroom and ready to fuck her. Her breathing hitched, nerves exploded as panic set in. What if he didn’t think she was any good in bed? What if their fuck session didn’t live up to their fantasies? Did that mean the end of their friendship too? How could they continue their erotic chats via email if the real thing fizzled?

Her thoughts abandoned her when his large hand slid beneath her jeans to skim the top of her mound. She couldn’t help squirm, heat built so deep inside her pussy she expected flames to shoot from her body soon. When she glanced at him, he was watching her, smiling, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“So you like to see me squirming?” she scolded.

“Not at all, baby. I just really enjoy making you squirm and watch you fight your arousal when what you really want is to wrap those gorgeous legs around my hips and let me drill my cock deep inside you.”

“Mmmm. Stop talking and do it.”

Removing his hand from inside her jeans, Finn quickly worked on undoing them before lifting her with one arm and using his free hand to tug the jeans free from her body.

Standing before her cyber lover, Emma felt as naked as a newborn babe even those she still wore her pink bra and matching bikini panties.

“Fucking beautiful you are, Emma. I’m gonna enjoy every inch of you.”

****

Second Excerpt from Operation: Spank Me

Her honey-suckle scent swirled around him as he whispered to her. “Tell me what you want me to do to you, Emma, baby.”

She craned her neck back to look in his eyes. “Oh, Finn. I can’t believe I can need you so much again, so quickly. But why tie me up? I mean, do you really like it that much?”

Wasn’t she the sweetest creature he’d ever laid eyes on? “Do you enjoy being tied? Did it make the sex more intense for you?”

“Well, considering I’ve never had an orgasm during sex before, I’d say yes it was very much intense. I loved it all.” Did her just hear her right? “You mean to tell me no man has made you come?”

Her cheeks brightened to a light shade of pink. “No.”

“Shit. Have you ever even had an orgasm before today?”

“Of course I have. That’s something I didn’t lie about. My vibrator gives an awesome orgasm but nothing compared to what you just did to me.”

He smiled. “All I did was help you relax so you could put aside your inhibitions and enjoy the pleasure your amazing body has to offer. But you didn’t answer my question. Do you like being tied up and at my total mercy?”

The pink deepened to a rosy stain on her cheeks. Just when he didn’t think she could look any more adorable, her innocence shone through like a lighthouse beacon signaling him to her.

“It was definitely a different experience than I expected. I thought it would just be awkward not being able to move around as I wished. Instead, relying on you for my comfort and satisfaction because I couldn’t move freely only heightened my pleasure.”

Kissing her cheek gently, he tightened his arm around her belly, holding her to him. “That was my goal. I want you at my mercy, Emma, so I can show you how damn horny you’ve made me these past months. I want to pleasure you in every way your body has ever desired and deserved.”

“Ah, so it’s safe to say you enjoy tying me up as much as I enjoy you doing it.”

His hands stroked over her flat belly, the skin soft and smooth. “I do. Like I said, you’re the first woman I’ve played bondage games with. Thanks to your suggestive comments in your emails, I can’t get the idea of it out of my head. There’s something about you, maybe it’s your underlying innocence and willingness to try new things, that brings out my deepest sexual fantasies.”

“I do that?” She all but purred her words, his gut tightening painfully in response. “Wow, and here I thought all I was doing was reaching out to a lonely military man.”

He took a steadying breath, his emotions for this lovely woman too raw to allow to surface. “You did so much more than just email me. You reached me, Emma. Your friendship means the world to me. The sexual tone of your emails gave me something to look forward to. Tying you down to the bed like this, well, I admit I like the power.”

“Power?” she asked, her body relaxing against his.

“The power is fucking amazing, a natural kind of high I’ve only felt before during combat missions.”

She craned her neck again to make eye contact, the brown circles enthralling him with their brilliance. “Oh, wow. Sounds pretty intense then.”

“Very much. Knowing you trust me enough not to hurt you but to bring you the greatest pleasure I can. That you’re willing to fulfill my need to feel that power, my need to dominate you and have you at my mercy. And the thing I enjoy most is to look into your eyes and see the vulnerability there and see your innocence awaken to new found desires, to know I had something to do about that.”

Emma blew out a long shaky breath before speaking, her voice like an angel’s, tender and musical. “I was afraid to admit to myself how much emailing you meant to me, how much a part of my life a man I’d never met had become. I kept thinking, worrying, that some day I’d never hear from you again. Maybe you’d get bored and stop writing, maybe you’d move to another deployment and not have email access, or maybe, well, maybe you’d be killed. I was so frightened about that.”

The genuine concern he saw in her eyes pulled fiercely at his heart, his emotions were on a roller coaster ride he didn’t know how to control. But he knew how to give her pleasure and that’s what he was here to do. Tomorrow could wait. Right now he was exactly where he wanted to be. In Emma’s bed.

 

Excerpt from A Place To Call Home

His eyes darkened, became serious. “Darling, when I want to get in your pants, I’ll seduce you like you’ve never been seduced before. I promise you. You’ll forget your name.”

“You won’t get the chance,” she said with heat.

His grin was devilish. “Oh, I will. There’s no sense us fighting our attraction. It’s just a matter of when we end up in bed and who’s the aggressor.” His hands lowered to her waist, his fingers kneading her skin ever so lightly. “Which, given both our personalities, should be quite interesting and something I must admit I’m looking forward to.”

Being held against that hard body distracted her thoughts. Her finger poked his chest. “You listen to me, Austin MacDevin. I’m not some game you can play. I’m a busy woman and don’t need to put up with shit from you. So let go.” She pushed out of his embrace and walked away, fighting her desire.

“Hannah,” he quietly called after her.

She stopped, hesitated and turned to face him, his voice tugging her heartstrings. The look in his eyes was of pure lust and hunger. Her temper lost its bite. She couldn’t deny she wanted him any more than she could live without air.

Slowly, he walked to her, his tall shadow cascading over the deck floor. She was mesmerized by the desire in his eyes as they roamed her face then rested on her lips. Those long fingers skimmed her jaw as his arm wrapped around her waist and gently held her against him.

“Aw, hell,” he whispered. “I give in.”

Mac bent his head, his lips covering hers, the kiss as gentle as a butterfly’s wings brushing over her skin. His hesitation was obvious, the way his arms quivered as they circled her. Her own nerves electrified as her heart pounded, the beating quickening against her breastbone.

He smelled of soap and cigar, a wonderful mixture of clean and rugged. Her hands skimmed slowly over his chest, the ripples of muscles under her touch hard and firm. His heart pounded against her fingertips, his breathing deepening as he held her up against him, her toes barely touching the floor.

As the kiss intensified, his lips moved harder over hers, his tongue tracing them, begging them to open. Giving in to her desires, she allowed him entry, his tongue darting into her mouth furiously. His hands slowly massaged her back, thrilling her all the way to her toes. Her mind went blank, her only interest was his exploration of her mouth. His tongue slowly roamed the inside, teasing hers, brushing along her teeth to the roof of her mouth and then started all over again, each time the pace becoming more frantic. He tasted of smoke, the bitter remnants of his cigar, but she didn’t care. She was dizzy with need. When he deepened the kiss further, he stole her breath away, the need to be taken erasing all rational thoughts.

When he finally removed his lips from hers, they were both breathing heavily. Her lips were gloriously swollen. His hands glided to her upper arms and slowly pulled her a few inches away from his chest, his eyes searching hers.

“Now that’s a fine thing you went and did,” she scolded, keeping her eyes locked on his. “My life is complicated enough without throwing sex into it.”

“It was a kiss, Hannah. Just a kiss,” he whispered.

“You know it was more. Much more.”

“Really? Do tell,” he said, grinning wickedly.

“Let me go.” She struggled but he held her firm.

“Can’t do that.”

“What do you mean you can’t? You will. Now let me go.”

“Only if you explain what you meant. Don’t pretend we haven’t been flirting with each other since we met or haven’t been using sexual overtones. Tell me how that simple kiss, which I happened to enjoy immensely, was more than just a kiss, more than just a man and a woman exploring their sexual attraction to one another.”

“Because you held me.”

He looked at her with a confused look.

“Damn it, Austin. You embraced me. You, you, well, you held back.”

“Okay. I’m sorry but you’ve lost me. Start over.”

She sighed. “You kissed me. Without groping me. Without dragging me to the floor to screw me. You kissed me. No one has ever just wanted to kiss me.”

He laughed. “For the record I want to do more than kiss you, darling. But I’d like to think I have a little more class than to take you here on my deck while my children sleep inside. And you deserve better from me.”

“Exactly. You could’ve tried but you didn’t. No one has ever respected me like that. I can’t deal with this right now.” She tried to pull away again unsuccessfully.

“Hannah.” His knuckles skimmed her cheek. “You kissed me back.”

“Yes. So?” Her heart was still pounding.

“So you enjoyed it, too.”

“I never said I didn’t. I’m mad I enjoyed it.”

“Now that’s one reaction I wasn’t looking for. Care to explain?” he said with a scowl.

“In case you’ve forgotten, Austin, I’m not staying in Charleston. I’m leaving as soon as my restaurant is completed.”

“What’s that have to do with me kissing you tonight, after we enjoyed a lovely evening together?”

“I don’t want to get attached. I’m not looking for a relationship,” she said, avoiding his eyes.

“Now there’s something we both agree on,” he said lightly. “It was a kiss, Hannah. Can we leave it at that? We’re attracted to each other. Nothing wrong with that.”

“No there isn’t but can you stop at that kiss, Austin?”

“For tonight I can. Do you know you drive me crazy when you call me by my real name?” His hands relaxed on her waist.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, giving in to the moment, defeated by the emotions swirling through her and needing help to hold herself up on her trembling knees. “Why don’t you use it? Austin is a nice name you know.”

He shrugged. “People started calling me Mac. I guess it was easier. Would you like more wine?”

“No.” She sighed. “Austin, I have to get home.”

“Kiss me good night, Hannah.”

She leaned up on her toes and touched her lips to his, lingering for a moment then stopped. “That’s all you get. More just wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“We’ll soon see about that,” he promised with a smile as he followed her into the house.

She grabbed her pocketbook and they walked quietly to her car. He opened her door and she slid in, rolling down the window.

“Good night, Austin,” she said softly, taking one last look into those serious blue eyes before driving home. Alone. Again.

Second Excerpt from A Place To Call Home

Later that evening, when the sun had just set, Hannah snuck into Mac’s porch, creeping along the darkness, carrying her goods, feeling like a thief in the night, even though she was bearing gifts. She’d leave the basket of blueberry muffins on Mac’s kitchen table since they were probably still fishing.

Porkchop met her at the door without even a bark, his tail wagging, his nose sniffing her hands and what they held.

“Good doggie,” she said and looked around at the spotless kitchen. The house was quiet. Only a lamp from the parlor gave her enough light to see the shadow of the kitchen counter. Quickly, she placed the brown wicker basket with a dozen of her special recipe giant blueberry muffins on the counter and opened her purse to retrieve the note card she’d already written for the boys.

Porkchop continued to smell the air. Hannah adjusted the basket, making sure the contents were displayed nicely, and obsessed over placing the card just right. Stepping back an inch she surveyed her work and smiled. Yeah, that looked really nice. The boys were sure to be surprised.

She picked up her purse and turned to leave but instead smacked hard into a solid male chest. She screamed and jumped back holding her hand on her heart. “What the hell are you doing, Mac,” she yelled, breathless.

“Funny. I was just going to ask you the same thing,” he said, arms crossed, staring. “Have you graduated from vehicle theft to breaking and entering, Hannah?”

“Don’t be a clown,” she said. “I just, well, I made some blueberry muffins for the boys. I wanted them to have them for breakfast and I remembered you said you’d be out fishing and, well, what the hell are you doing here anyway?”

“I live here.”

“Don’t get smart with me. You scared me.”

“Then don’t break into my house and I won’t scare you.”

Her breath escaped her lungs in a long sigh. “Will you make sure the boys get these, please? I didn’t mean to bother you. Sorry.”

Mac spoke softly, not in his usual sarcastic tone. “If you leave them there the only one who’s gonna get them is Porkchop and he looks very interested right now.”

“Oh, well.” She grabbed the basket. “Where can I put them?”

“Give them to me.” He took the basket and placed it on top of the stove. “He can’t reach it there,” he confirmed.

“How come you’re not fishing?” She looked past him for the boys. Surely if they heard her they’d come out and say hello.

He shrugged, like his shoulders suddenly weighed a ton. “The boys didn’t finish their chores and were fighting so I had to punish them. That meant no fishing. And bed after dinner.”

“Oh oh. I guess you really are a man of your word, huh?” He looked so miserable, all she could do was rub his arm.

“Yeah. I’m not really liked right now around here so please don’t add to it with one of your tantrums.”

She frowned. “Now why would I do that? And what do you mean one on my tantrums? I don’t have tantrums.”

“The hell you don’t.” He sighed, staring at his feet. “I’m sorry. I’m just not in the mood for any more arguing.”

Her hand angled his chin up so she could look in his eyes. “Wow. The boys did a number on you tonight, huh?” He looked emotionally beat up. She dropped her hand and watched him.

He stared at the wall. “Yeah. It wasn’t pretty. They think I’m mean.” He looked at her. “Too bad you weren’t here. You could’ve agreed with them.”

Her hands rested on her hips, an automatic response when riled. “Now that’s not fair. I think you’re a wonderful father and that’s what I would’ve told them.”

Those blue eyes stared into hers. He had showered since she saw him in his office. Standing within arm’s length, she could smell his soap, the sharp, tangy scent of clean. She bit her bottom lip. It was that or eat him alive.

“They’re gonna love the muffins, Hannah. It beats the hell out of cereal. Why’d you do it?” he asked so softly it broke her heart to see him so down.

“Because I wanted to. I was home alone. Bored. Usually I have contractors in place by the property closing. But purchasing this property happened so quickly I didn’t have time to plan properly. So now I have time on my hands and don’t know what to do. I found old muffin tins and still had blueberries left over from the dessert last night. I thought of the boys. Before I knew it I was baking my special muffins.” Her smile was genuine. “I was glad I picked up flour and eggs when I shopped.”

He smiled back, relaxing. “You’re something else you know that, Hannah?”

“What?” She looked at him innocently.

“You come out here in the dark to break into my house in your pajamas, those are pj’s, right? To surprise my boys, who don’t deserve anything after tonight, with homemade blueberry muffins.”

“So?” She felt a little awkward. When he put it that way, she sounded desperate for company.

“So,” he said and pulled her against him before she knew what he was doing. “So I think that was pretty damn nice of you. I’m sorry, Hannah. I’ve been a complete ass toward you.”

That shocked her. “Oh? Would that be ass with a capital A?”

His lips parted in a thin line. Leaning against the breakfast nook, he rested his hands on her hips. “A bold capital A,” he said. “Can you forgive me? I’m not usually like that.”

“You mean you’re not usually pushy, bossy, demanding, conceited, arrogant-”

“Okay, okay. I get the picture. And no I’m not usually all that, at least not at once. But apparently you bring out the worst in me.”

“So I guess what you’re saying is that we get on each other’s nerves without even trying, right?”

“Yeah. Why is that?” His soothing voice rolled over her ears.

“I bet it has something to do with sexual tension.” Heat raced through her belly when he stared.

“There’s a good chance of that. And the fact that you’re one stubborn lady with a temper that can scare a grown man.”

Her fingers walked up his chest. “I don’t scare you though, do I, Mac?”

“Nah. I can handle you.”

“Oh, you think so?” She leaned away from him but he held firm. “Just you try and handle me and see what happens to you. I’ll make sure you’re at the top of the stairs next time before I make you fall down them.”

He laughed and squeezed her sides. “So you admit it. You tried to kill me that day.”

“Let’s just say the thought did cross my mind. A dozen times or so.”

“See. I knew I should’ve paddled your bottom when I had the chance at the foot of those stairs. That’s what you need. That’ll tame your temper.” The twinkle in his eyes warmed the spot between her legs, the dampness on her pussy lips apparent after only seconds of being this close to him.

She opened her mouth in shock. “If you tried I would’ve clawed you limb from limb.”

He laughed. “I have no doubt about that, sweetheart. But still you do tempt me. There’s something damn kinky about having a beautiful woman across my knee for an intimate spanking.”

“Never thought of it like that before,” she said, her bottom tingling, curiosity consuming her. “Maybe I’ll try to think of ways to tempt you into spanking me.”

“Honey, you don’t have to even try. You do all the time with that damn hot temper.”

She laughed. Never would she have guessed that the threat of a spanking would arouse her immensely or make her feel like someone cared enough to not tolerate her temper or its effects on her judgment. “Good to know,” she teased.

He smiled and looked at the stove. “You know those muffins smell too good. I don’t think they’ll make it to breakfast.”

“Don’t you dare eat them on the boys.” She swatted her hand at him while he still held her in his arms.

“What’s the note say?” he inquired.

“You’ll have to ask them after they open it.”

His eyes caught hers, held. “I’m their father. I can open it now and read it. I don’t have to wait for them.”

She glared. “You’ll wait for them to share it with you. I wrote it to them. Not you. Besides it just says to be good and enjoy the muffins.”

 

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