Aliyah Burke ~ Sensuality in Romance

Blog has moved...

2010-09-26T03:41:00.001+03:00

to a new location.

http://aliyah-burke.com/blog

please swing by, check it out and stay up to date with things going on in my world.

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Review for Born To Fly: Landing in Love

2010-08-02T21:32:00.001+03:00

Just got this one in.

http://sirenbookreviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/aliyah-burke-born-to-fly-landing-in.html

If you have a moment, check it out.

Happy reading,
~A

Two more reviews

2010-08-02T18:26:00.004+03:00

that I wanted to share. Check them out if you have a chance.

review for Born To Fly: Landing In Love

http://manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=7321

review for O'Shea's Love

http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews-2/osheas-love-by-aliyah-burke

New review for Chayton's Tempest

2010-07-30T03:49:00.001+03:00

If you have a chance check it out. I'm very pleased to have gotten such a lovely review.
http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/recommended-reviews/august-2010-recommended-reads/chaytons-tempest-by-aliyah-burke-2

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

New contract...

2010-06-25T05:52:00.002+03:00

Just wanted to share that I've signed a new contract with Phaze for my story, The Detective's Lover. This is slotted for release Jan 2011.
I've posted the blurb and a short excerpt below (unedited)
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

A beautiful no-nonsense marine, one by-the-book ruggedly handsome homicide detective, and the case that may well give them eternal bliss or eternal rest, can they trust in each other long enough to find out which it will be?

Fallon Maddox is reunited with her family the day they bury her father. She has no idea that coming home will be the beginning of an adventure she may not survive and even if she does, her life will never be the same. Ian Cavanaugh is a homicide detective who is wrapped up in a case that may not be as simple as it first appears. The deceased is the father of a group of foster children who had made quite a reputation for themselves when he was growing up. He knew it was in his best interest to get the case solved…and fast. His priorities begin to waver as he is reunited with the only daughter in the family. Her never-wavering calm makes him want to shatter it and expose the passion he knows lies beneath it. No matter how hot blooded their unions are, it was becoming clear that he may have to chose between love and his brotherhood in blue, for their families seemed to always be at increasing odds. Will he have time to make the decision or will it be made for him?

Unedited excerpt from The Detective’s Lover

Ian was restless. It was two minutes until seven and still there remained no sign of Fallon. He looked down at his clothes, hiking boots, jeans, and a long sleeved shirt under his Seahawks jacket. He didn’t want to overdress, but part of him had.
God, I’m acting like it’s a date.
“What is all this about, Detective Cavanaugh?”
He almost jumped. One second she wasn’t there, the next she was, materializing out of the air for all the noise she made.
“Good evening, Ms. Maddox.”
His heart sped up as their gazes met. There was just something about her. Ian watched her eyes, noting the emotionless state of her gaze. There was no fear, which pleased him, but there was not anything there at all. That bothered him.
“I didn’t come here for another of your lessons in manners, Detective. Your kind has nothing I wish to learn.”
He ran his eyes over her. Hair pulled back in a bun, as opposed to lunch when it had flowed about her otherwise she wore the same thing.
“What do you mean my kind?” He knew she had three white brothers, so it couldn’t be race, could it?
“Cops. You and your blue blooded camaraderie that covers for each other.” Her contemptuous tone told him that this was exactly what she’d meant by her earlier statement.
He bristled. “So what, you prefer Marines to cops? Is that why your hair was down with him?”
“Is this what you wanted to discuss with me, Detective? My hair? Why I prefer the company of Marines to cops?”
Ian held up a gloved hand. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things.” He flinched when the wind picked up.
“Why am I here?”
“I wanted to talk to you about the case.”
Fallon leaned back against the railing. “So talk.”
Ian watched her face in the glow of the streetlights. The weather didn’t seem to bother her, instead it added a rosy tint to her beautiful dark skin. The horn from a ferry broke through the night.
“I think you’re right. There is something off about the report. I want to find the truth and I think if we can put aside our differences we could figure it out.” Ian waited. He frowned as amusement crossed her face.
“Is that what this is? An attempt to ferret out what I’ve learned?” She pushed away from the rails and closed the distance between herself and him. “And tell me, Detective. How far are you willing to go with this charade?”
Ian tried to ignore his body’s reaction to her nearness. How the lights shone off her lips, calling him to taste them. He swallowed and tried to tell his rapidly hardening erection to behave.
“It’s not like that.”
Fallon moved closer still. “No?” Her voice got all low and throaty. “I want to know how far you’re going to go to make me happy in hopes I’ll tell you what I know.” Her hands left her pockets and slid up his chest.
Ian fisted his gloved hands at his side. He had to forcibly stop himself from moving. Either into or away from her touch. His cock leapt to attention.
“Tell me, Detective. What have you been cleared to do? What’s the limit?” She wrapped her hands around his neck, pressing flush against him.
He gulped as her mouth moved closer.
Fallon’s fingers covered by soft leather teased the back of his neck. “Will you take me out?” She blinked once, slowly, her thick lashes falling and rising again. “Would you actually sleep with a Maddox?” Her lips were millimeters away from his, fanning his mouth with her warm breath.
Ian gave in with a low growl. He hauled her in close and covered her mouth with his.

Chatting today at LASR

2010-06-09T13:59:00.002+03:00

Hey y'all;
I'm chatting today at LASR, it's an all day thing so swing by and say hi if you have some free time.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LongAndShortRomanceReviews/
Love to hear from you.
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Interview with LASR

2010-06-08T14:52:00.003+03:00

Mornin' y'all;
Just a short note to let you know I have a new interview posted up with Long And Short Reviews.
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/interviews.htm
Swing by and check it out if you have a chance.
Then tomorrow I'll be at their yahoo group for an all day chat. So drop by and say hi.
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

2010-06-01T22:36:00.001+03:00

Here it is, the cover for The Lieutenant's Ex-Wife...

This is scheduled to be released 12 July 10.

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Cover art for Born To Fly: Landing in Love

2010-05-21T17:42:00.003+03:00

Here's the cover for my upcoming story Born To Fly: Landing in Love. I don't have a release date for it yet, but when Phaze lets me know, I'll let y'all know.
Have a great day.
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Interview with FAR

2010-03-12T16:17:00.001+02:00

Mornin' y'all;
If you have a chance swing by FAR and see my Author Spotlight interview.
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog/
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Interview with CoffeeTime Romance

2010-03-01T21:53:00.001+02:00

I have a new interview up with CoffeeTime Romance.
Swing by and check it out if you have a chance.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Interviews/AliyahBurke.html
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Review for Chayton's Tempest

2010-02-20T00:45:00.001+02:00

Good evenin' y'all;
Just wanted to share another review I recieved for Chayton's Tempest.

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/chaytonstempest.html

Pop over and check it out if you have time.
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Review for Just A Dream

2010-02-19T17:04:00.001+02:00

Just A Dream got a really lovely review. Check it out if you have a chance.

http://joyfullyrevi ewed.com/ reviews/Feb10/ justadream. ab.html

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

New contracts...

2010-02-01T18:10:00.002+02:00

Just wanted to share I've signed three contracts with Phaze for stories which will be in the Phaze Rocks line.

Three stories, three brothers, all pilots.

Blurbs and excerpts will be posted on the website soon.

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Interview with Novelsisterhood

2010-02-01T06:14:00.002+02:00

Hey y'all;

Just wanted to let you know I'll be doing an interview with NovelSisterhood 05 Feb 2010, so if you have time, drop by and say hi.

http://www.novelsisterhood.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you there.

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Now Available...

2009-12-19T03:55:00.003+02:00

Chayton's Tempest via Lulu.

Thanks for all the patience and hangin' in there with me. I sincerely hope y'all enjoy the final Megalodon Team story.

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/chaytons-tempest/7376040

http://stores.lulu.com/aliyahburke

Blurb for Chayton’s Tempest

Tempest Burnell was content with her life in the Southwestern desert until the day she came face to face with her past. Time had been wonderful to him, a tall Native American, blessing him with jet black hair, obsidian eyes, and bronzed skin covering a body packed in muscles.
James “Maverick” Lonetree heads to New Mexico because of a vision. When he lays eyes upon a sexy bartender, new life pours into him. He longs to know more about the dark-skinned, curvaceous woman and yet she seems to hate him.
When the past comes out, Maverick is faced with a hurdle more crucial than anything he’s ever faced in his thirty-six, even recent years as a SEAL. He is however, determined to break through the wall erected around Tempest’s heart and earn forgiveness for past transgressions. Combine her mistrust, with interfering families, and the fact he calls the other side of the country home, he knows it won’t be easy.
SEALs are known for many things, giving up…isn’t one of them. Maverick vows to make Tempest understand she’s not just his salvation, she is…
Chayton’s Tempest

Interview with Classy n' Sassy

2009-12-13T23:06:00.001+02:00

Just wanted to say I've been interviewed by Classy N' Sassy Promotions so swing by and check it out if you like.

http://classynsassy promotions. blogspot. com/

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Unedited excerpt of Chayton's Tempest

2009-12-08T05:02:00.002+02:00

Here is the excerpt as promised. I don't have a release date yet but will post when I do. Enjoy!

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Unedited excerpt of Chayton’s Tempest
“Nope. I’m staying until closing. I’ll pick you up around two tomorrow.” Pushing the money closer, he sent her a predatory grin. “Plain Coke.”
Biting her lip, Tempest got him his drink, sliding it across the smooth finish. “Here you go; no charge.” Then she was gone, moving down the counter to tend other patrons.

Maverick’s glass never went empty but Tempest kept her distance. He could tell the other workers wanted to ask her what he’d meant by his blatant admission. But she shook off their questions and stayed focused on her work.
It was after two-thirty in the morning before the place was empty aside from Tempest, Mili, and Maverick. Mili finished up sweeping the floor while Tempest cleaned behind the bar and did some inventory.
When Tempest had announced it was closing, everyone had groaned but began leaving. Last call had been made much earlier, so clean up was relatively easy. Maverick had merely drunk his Coke and watched people leave.
Only when two bouncers approached him had he reacted. He’d cast a glance back towards Tempest, who’d sent the men a nod of approval. So the men hadn’t bothered him and had made certain everyone else had left in an orderly fashion.
“You know you can’t make this a habit,” Tempest said as she ran a dry rag over the counter, making it gleam.
“Can’t make what a habit?” Maverick asked, deliberately being obtuse.
“Staying here all night. Don’t you have something more important to do?” Turning her back on him, she ran a critical eye over the bottles before her, taking stock.
Maverick allowed his eyes to travel all over her body. She stood with most of her weight on her left leg. Her stance allowed the leather of her pants to form even tighter to her derrière. She had a beautiful hourglass shape, one he longed to explore and get to know on an up close and very personal level.
With a quick wink to Mili, he vaulted effortlessly over the bar to land silently behind her. “I don’t have anything more important to do.” He allowed his eyes to move over her one more time, trying to control the insistent jerking of his swollen cock inside his pants. Maverick had to give her credit; she’d only jumped a small bit.
“What are you doing?”
“Turn around,” he spoke in a low, authoritative voice.
Slowly, Tempest complied with his order. “What? I’m really tired and want to get in bed.”
His eyes twinkled. “Is that an offer?”

Cover and blurb for Chayton's Tempest

2009-12-01T18:50:00.003+02:00

Here is Maverick's cover. I don't have a release date at this moment but will post it when I do. And I'll be putting up an excerpt soon as well. The blurb is below.

Blurb for Chayton’s Tempest
Tempest Burnell was content with her life in the Southwestern desert until the day she came face to face with her past. Time had been wonderful to him, a tall Native American, blessing him with jet black hair, obsidian eyes, and bronzed skin covering a body packed in muscles.
James “Maverick” Lonetree heads to New Mexico because of a vision. When he lays eyes upon a sexy bartender, new life pours into him. He longs to know more about the dark-skinned, curvaceous woman and yet she seems to hate him.
When the past comes out, Maverick is faced with a hurdle more crucial than anything he’s ever faced in his thirty-six, even recent years as a SEAL. He is however, determined to break through the wall erected around Tempest’s heart and earn forgiveness for past transgressions. Combine her mistrust, with interfering families, and the fact he calls the other side of the country home, he knows it won’t be easy.
SEALs are known for many things, giving up…isn’t one of them. Maverick vows to make Tempest understand she’s not just his salvation, she is…
Chayton’s Tempest

O'Shea's Love is Now Available!!!

2009-10-22T06:07:00.003+03:00

Thanks for all the support and paitence. The book is now available in ebook and print.
Enjoy!!
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/osheas-love/7375841
http://stores.lulu.com/aliyahburke
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Release Date for O'Shea's Love...

2009-10-19T03:42:00.002+03:00

22 Oct 09!!!

Thanks to everyone for being so paitent. This is the date barring something horrid occuring. Thanx for hanging in there with me.
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Cover and Excerpt for O'Shea's Love

2009-10-01T06:53:00.003+03:00

Just wanted to post up the cover for the next release in the Megalodon Team series, O'Shea's Love. This story will be out sometime in October and when I have an exact date I'll post it up. But until then, here is the cover and an unedited excerpt.

Enjoy!

Unedited Excerpt from O’Shea’s Love

Adrian sat there, elbows on the tabletop, and watched her walk away from him for the second time in less than twenty-four hours. Damn! he thought, running his tongue over his teeth.
He could honestly say this wasn’t even remotely how he’d envisioned things to go. Jötunn, he’d envisioned to be a man, not a woman whose mere presence made all sense leave him. Add to that her flat-out refusal to assist him in his quest. Aidrian had expected this person to jump at the chance to teach him. With a deep breath, he leaned back in his chair and thought again about Xaria “Jötunn” Hummel or Xar as she claimed she was also called. She intrigued him more than he cared to admit.
Aidrian ground his teeth together. He needed this. And I’m going to get it! Pushing up from the table, he went to the elevator and rode up to his room. When he stepped from the interior of the car and headed for his door, a smile crossed his face as his gaze landed on the gentle swaying hips of one Xaria Hummel. She stopped and looked over her shoulder. Her eyes widened slightly before she turned toward him.
“Mr. O’Shea,” she said, walking closer to him. “Were it not for the fact we’re housed on the same floor, I’d begin to wonder if you were stalking me.”
Aidrian smiled again and leaned nonchalantly against the wall, watching her approach. “And you know we’re on the same floor, how?”
Xaria stopped before him, her expression amused. “So you are stalking me.”
His grin grew wider. “Nice dodge. Won’t work, though. This where you saw me and made your assumption of me?”
She lifted a shoulder. “Perhaps.”
Aidrian put one hand in his pocket and withdrew a keycard. Stepping closer to her, he noticed how her breathing increased and her pupils dilated. He leaned down by her ear. “For your information, as a general rule, I have the utmost respect for women. But be assured, Miss Hummel, you and I have unfinished business and we will meet again.” Backing off, he maneuvered around her and let himself into his room. Xaria had turned to watch him and he winked her before closing the door behind him. He sank against it. “Yah should be grateful, I respect women, Xaria Hummel, or you would already be in mah bed.”
He shifted his stance before heading to the table where he had a bunch of books and manuals on ice survival. Picking one up, he thumbed through a few pages before tossing it back down with a low growl of frustration. Aidrian shook as his hands gripped the edge of the table. He needed some release. Changing quickly into sweats and a sleeveless tee, he went back down to the gym and began working out.

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Satin Notes Christmas Contest ~ 2009

2009-08-21T03:15:00.004+03:00

Okay, everyone. Contest time. As a Christmas gift and thank you to all you wonderful readers who have enjoyed the stories on Satin Notes as much as we have enjoyed creating them. This is a very simple contest with prizes we hope you will enjoy. The Satin Notes Christmas Contest 2009 will run from 15 August 2009 until 15 November 2009. There will be two winners chosen out of all the properly entered contestants.

The prize is as follows:

One print copy of each (4 books in total for each winner):

Cami’s Surrender
Break Every Rule
Magnetism
Sentinel

Each of these books will be signed by each of the Satin Notes author.

Now for the rules:

All you have to do is enter go here - http://satinnotes.com/contest.shtml - and put in all the information in the form. You must enter your first and last name, email address, and snail mail address. That’s it. No questions to answer, nothing. Just enter your first and last name, email address, and snail mail address. Please note all the information we requested is needed in order for your contest entry to be considered a valid entry. It will be kept private and not shared with anyone. After midnight EST on 15 November 2009 no more entries will be accepted. The winners will be chosen and their names, only their names will be posted.

Enter the Contest here: http://satinnotes.com/contest.shtml

We would love to thank all of our readers for such wonderful support over the years. Y’all truly have no idea just how much we appreciate it. Thank you!

Aliyah, McKenna, & Taige

Dimitri's Moon is now available!!

2009-08-15T07:07:00.004+03:00

Book 6 in the Megalodon Team, Dimitri's Moon, is now available in both ebook and print via Lulu. I hope y'all enjoy Dimitri's story!

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/dimitris-moon/7256369

http://stores.lulu.com/aliyahburke

Ilanderae “Landi” Nycks never thought she’d meet up with the man who’d stolen her heart only to turn around and break it. His disheveled black hair, lean muscular body, and golden eyes affected her as much as the day they met. However, on that fateful day in Greece they were reunited.
Dimitri “Merlin” Melonakos felt the world shift on its axis the second his gaze landed upon his own epitome of perfection, Landi Nycks. Her petite form, fawn colored eyes, flawless skin all made him long to go back in time and correct the mistakes he made in their relationship.
Resolute to get another chance with her, Dimitri does all he can to get another chance. Landi is unsure and not very trusting but bit by bit she begins to allow him back into her heart. Their newly renewed relationship is tested by new people into their lives, missions, and more. Dimitri doesn’t care about how many things he has to overcome, he vows to never let her go again for she is…
Dimitri’s Moon

Wicked Burn ~ Now Availalbe

2009-08-05T02:07:00.002+03:00

Wicked Burn
In the Hearts Afire - August Anthology

Liquid Silver Books
Co-written story with McKenna Jeffries
August 2009
LSB Theme ~ Hearts Afire
E-Book ISBN #: 978-1-59578-584-8
Genre: Contemporary/ Interracial

Blurb:
Firefighter Yasmine Van Cort is used to saving people and knows that sometimes, not everyone is rescued. Yet something about her last fire rescue keeps bothering her. She cannot forget the anguish of the man who lost his sister and brother-in-law, the man who is now the guardian of the one survivor of the horrible fire – an innocent baby. Yasmine knows getting involved with those you save can be a bad idea, but she cannot resist checking on him. What she finds is an unexpected complication that will change her.
Sedeo Parker has lost the last of his family and now has to care for his infant niece. Distraught at the loss and the responsibility, he is feeling overwhelmed when the woman who saved his niece comes by. His mixed emotions of gratitude and fury she did not save everyone leave him reeling. The unexpected flash of desire for her only complicates things.
Yasmine knows that with her career, a real relationship is difficult at best. Add to that a victim of fire, and that makes it doubly so. Sedeo, after losing everything to fire, does not know if he can let himself become involved with a woman who fights the very thing he is afraid of. Together, they will have to decide if it’s worth it to take a chance on a wicked burn.

Content below is not suitable if under 18.
Un-Edited EXCERPT:

One night as she stood in the kitchen barefoot, making herself a salad for dinner, the doorbell chimed. Munching on a carrot, she walked to the door and pulled it open. The sight on the other side almost caused her to choke. The man who’d been haunting her dreams stood there, holding the cute little girl in his arms, a bag on one shoulder.

“H…h…hi,” she managed to mutter. Holy hell, he’s even hotter than I remember from my dreams.

Shelby cooed and reached for her, and without thought, Yasmine took her into her arms. The gentle scent of innocence washed over her.

“Would you believe we were in the neighborhood?” One side of his mouth curved up in a disarming smile. Yet she could see in the depths of his eyes more than a bit uncertainty.

Did she? And did she really care? “Come on in,” she said, stepping back to allow them in the house.

“We’re not interrupting, are we?” he asked as he moved past her.

“Nope. Just fixing a bite to eat before Rufus and I go for a walk.”

“Rufus?” Sedeo asked.

Jerking her head toward the door, she said, “The one putting nose prints on my sliding glass door.”

“Puppy!” Shelby cried and struggled to get down.

With a smile, Yasmine set her on her feet, well aware that Rufus was fine with kids.

“Is she…is he okay? Will she…?” Sedeo babbled.

Without thought, she placed a hand on his arm and said, “She’ll be fine. Rufus loves kids.”

The heat from his skin seared her palm, and she swallowed rapidly. Removing her hand, she moved to the door, opening it to allow Rufus to come inside. Keeping her gaze on the two on the floor, she made sure all was good between dog and child. She longed to stand near him again, but part of her make-up was following the rules and doing what was best. Getting involved with Sedeo Parker was not what was best.

A shadow fell over her, and she looked up at the man who stood a few inches taller than her. He stared down at her with a longing in his gaze. Her belly churned, and her legs became shaky. Everything in the room shrank to the two of them, nothing more, and nothing less. In slow motion, he cupped the side of her face and lowered his mouth to hers.

Nothing else mattered, aside from the fact his lips were nearing hers. At first touch, she whimpered. His lips were made for kissing. He nibbled gently before covering her mouth. She moaned as his tongue slid along her lips and sought entrance. Yasmine opened on a sigh.

It was a slow exploration of the recess of her mouth, and Yasmine allowed him to set his pace. Her fingers curled into her palms so she didn’t grab him. It was over almost before it started, and when he pulled back, his eyes swirled with barely restrained passion.

Copyright © 2009 Aliyah Burke and McKenna Jeffries
All Rights Reserved , Liquid Silver Books.

Contest winner.

2009-08-02T15:04:00.000+03:00

First I want to thank everyone who participated in the contest, I know I don't do that many of them, so it means a great deal to me when you take part in them.

The winner of the summer contest is: yveswms
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Release Date and Cover for Dimitri's Moon

2009-07-31T23:26:00.003+03:00

Afternoon everyone;

Just wanted to share the cover for the next story in the Megalodon Team series, Dimitri's Moon.

The story will be available, 15 Aug 09, in both ebook and print through Lulu. I hope y'all enjoy it when it comes out and thanx for the support.

Happy reading,

~Aliyah Burke

Release Date for Wicked Burn

2009-07-26T02:38:00.002+03:00

Good evening, y'all:
Just wanted to share that Wicked Burn, the story cowritten by McKenna Jeffries and myself, has been given a release date of 03 Aug 09 from Liquid Silver Books.
Hope y'all enjoy the story when it arrives.

Here is the blurb and excerpt for Wicked Burn:

Wicked Burn
By: Aliyah Burke and McKenna Jeffries
Liquid Silver Books
Coming 03 August 2009
LSB Theme ~ Hearts AfireISBN#: 978-1-59578- 584-8
Genre: Contemporary Format: E-Book

Blurb:

Firefighter Yasmine Van Cort is used to saving people and knows sometimes, not everyone can be rescued. Yet something about her last fire rescue keeps bothering her. She cannot forget the anguish of the man who lost his sister and brother-in-law, the man who is now the guardian of the sole survivor of the horrible fire--an innocent baby. Yasmine knows getting involved with those you save can be a bad idea, but she cannot resist checking on him. What she finds is an unexpected complication which will change her forever.
Sedeo Parker lost the last of his family and now has to care for his infant niece. Distraught at the loss and the responsibility, he is overwhelmed when the woman who saved his niece comes by. His mixed emotions of gratitude and fury that she did not save everyone leave him reeling. The unexpected flash of desire for her only complicates things.
Yasmine knows with her career, a real relationship is difficult at best. Add in a victim of fire, and it makes it doubly so. Sedeo, after losing everything to fire, does not know if he can let himself become involved with a woman who fights the very thing he is afraid of. Together, they will have to decide if it’s worth it to take a chance on a wicked burn.

Un-Edited EXCERPT:

One night as she stood in the kitchen barefoot, making herself a salad for dinner, the doorbell chimed. Munching on a carrot, she walked to the door and pulled it open. The sight on the other side almost caused her to choke. The man who’d been haunting her dreams stood there, holding the cute little girl in his arms, a bag on one shoulder.
“H…h…hi,” she managed to mutter. Holy hell, he’s even hotter than I remember from my dreams.
Shelby cooed and reached for her, and without thought, Yasmine took her into her arms. The gentle scent of innocence washed over her.
“Would you believe we were in the neighborhood?” One side of his mouth curved up in a disarming smile. Yet she could see in the depths of his eyes more than a bit uncertainty.
Did she? And did she really care? “Come on in,” she said, stepping back to allow them in the house.
“We’re not interrupting, are we?” he asked as he moved past her.
“Nope. Just fixing a bite to eat before Rufus and I go for a walk.”
“Rufus?” Sedeo asked.
Jerking her head toward the door, she said, “The one putting nose prints on my sliding glass door.”
“Puppy!” Shelby cried and struggled to get down.
With a smile, Yasmine set her on her feet, well aware that Rufus was fine with kids.
“Is she…is he okay? Will she…?” Sedeo babbled.
Without thought, she placed a hand on his arm and said, “She’ll be fine. Rufus loves kids.”
The heat from his skin seared her palm, and she swallowed rapidly. Removing her hand, she moved to the door, opening it to allow Rufus to come inside. Keeping her gaze on the two on the floor, she made sure all was good between dog and child. She longed to stand near him again, but part of her make-up was following the rules and doing what was best. Getting involved with Sedeo Parker was not what was best.
A shadow fell over her, and she looked up at the man who stood a few inches taller than her. He stared down at her with a longing in his gaze. Her belly churned, and her legs became shaky. Everything in the room shrank to the two of them, nothing more, and nothing less. In slow motion, he cupped the side of her face and lowered his mouth to hers.
Nothing else mattered, aside from the fact his lips were nearing hers. At first touch, she whimpered. His lips were made for kissing. He nibbled gently before covering her mouth. She moaned as his tongue slid along her lips and sought entrance. Yasmine opened on a sigh.
It was a slow exploration of the recess of her mouth, and Yasmine allowed him to set his pace. Her fingers curled into her palms so she didn’t grab him. It was over almost before it started, and when he pulled back, his eyes swirled with barely restrained passion.

Copyright © 2009 Aliyah Burke and McKenna Jeffries
All Rights Reserved , Liquid Silver Books.

Chapter 1 of Dimitri's Moon

2009-07-21T06:04:00.002+03:00

Just wanted to post chapter one of the next installment of the Megalodon Team, Dimitri's Moon. Enjoy!

Chapter One

Athens, Greece
“Damn this crazy shit going on in the world!” the petite woman cussed as she was jostled again. This most recent attack was mind-boggling. Someone or someones had attacked the American Embassy in Greece. She was heading away from the scene, just trying to make it out in one piece, when another explosion rocked the streets.
This time she was knocked to her knees. Palms scraped against rugged pavement while attempting to break her fall. The screams grew louder as the force of people moving near her turned to almost moving over her.
Fighting to regain leverage and her feet in the swarming crowd, she jumped when she felt a hand on her arm. “This isn’t a time to be on the ground, ma’am,” a deep voice said to her as she was lifted completely off the ground and placed back on her feet.
Ilanderae “Landi” Nycks looked over her shoulder at the man who had assisted her. He was dressed in a nice dark suit; his skin had the natural olive complexion that seemed to be common for the men of this area. He had black hair and a very tightly clipped goatee on his face. His eyes were dark green. Damn! “Thank you,” she mumbled.
“We should get moving,” he said as his hand secured a place on her arm, leading her through the throng of people to an open area.
Landi didn’t argue, just let him tug her along. Her palms were stinging and her knees were beginning to ache as well. She stumbled along after him, her short, five-two frame no match for the strides his over six-foot body took. “Can we slow down a bit?” she panted.
He glanced down at her sweat-covered face. “Sorry. Right in here. We can get you cleaned up.” The man pulled her into a restaurant, never even noticing its name as he ushered her in. If she had, she would not have entered.
The people inside were looking around full of suspicion and mistrust, as if anyone there could have a bomb strapped on as well. But all their eyes fell to her as she staggered in after the man towing her.
Momentarily stunned, Landi froze, her chest rising and falling with each breath she took. What the hell is up with the glares I’m getting? Tugging on her wrist, she got the man who had brought her in here to let her go.
“Anatole, get some warm water and soft rags. We need to get her cleaned up.” Turning to look at the woman beside him, he gestured to an empty booth. “Here, sit here and we will clean you up.”
“Thank you,” Landi said with a smile and did as he instructed.
The other people continued to watch her, but their expressions softened incredibly. When the young man approached her with the bowl and the rag, she sat up and reached for it.
Brushing her off, her savior took the cloth and dipped it in the water. Ringing it out, he applied it gently to her bloody knees, wiping them clean. “Better?” he asked in a low voice.
Swallowing, she nodded. “Much. I can do it,” Landi insisted, taking the rag from him and cleaning the other knee before moving onto her hands.
The man allowed her to do just that. He stood back, crossed his arms and watched Landi tend to her injuries. His dark-emerald eyes moved over her body as she finished with the rag. As she placed it back in the bowl of water, he waved forward a woman who was carrying a platter of food.
As the young lady set down the plate, Landi said, “Oh, I really need to get back to my hotel. But thank you for everything.”
“No. It’s not safe for you or any American out there right now. The streets are too dangerous. You will stay here.”
Shaking her head, Ilanderae protested, “No. No. I can’t do that. I have to get going to my hotel.”
The man stared at her for a moment as if testing her resolve. Finally, he nodded and spoke. “Okay, but only if you allow me to have an escort for you. My cousin will take you back to your place. I would do it, but I can’t be sure I wouldn’t take advantage of you. He is a gentleman.” That statement was delivered with a hearty wink.
Ilanderae shivered as his stare roved her body. This man was nothing short of handsome wrapped in a gorgeous package. “I can do that. Thank you so much for stopping to help me. I don’t know what’s going on here right now. I totally believe I would have just been run over by the hordes of people if you hadn’t stopped to help me out.”
Taking her dark hand in his sun-kissed one, the man bowed low over it, placing his lips tenderly on the back of the smooth, flawless skin. “My dear, it would have been a sin for me to leave a delicate woman such as yourself lying there.” He rolled his green eyes. “Not to mention very ungentlemanly of me.”
She couldn’t help it, she had to laugh. “Well, I, for one, am very grateful you decided you couldn’t be ungentlemanly.” Reluctantly, she took her hand away from his firm lips.
“If only I were to take you to the hotel, the pleasures I could show you,” he murmured in her ear, sending delightful shivers across her body. The clearing of a throat made him groan in dismay. “That would be my cousin,” he muttered, standing up to his full seventy-four–inch height, “who’s come to take this lovely vixen away from me.”
Landi shook her head at his dramatic antics. It had been a long time since a man had made her laugh this much or feel this special. “Well, thank you for your kindness and your hospitality. I won’t ever forget it.”
He winked roguishly at her and asked, “Will I be able to see you again, or are you leaving our fair country soon?”
Unable to get out of the booth because of where he was standing, Landi remained seated. “I am here for a few more days. Then I have to get back to the States.”
“Perfect. Then we can go out on a date before you leave.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t even know your name.”
Before he could respond, a deep voice interrupted them. “AJ, I don’t want to stand here while you flirt with another woman. I was asked to escort her back to the hotel, and I don’t have time to waste.”
If the feelings her rescuer had caused had rocked and shocked her, the ones that rocketed through her at the sound of the new masculine voice were like the finale at a huge fireworks show. Only one man had the power to deliver that feeling to her body; and the last time she had seen him...was over a year ago.
It can’t be!
The man blocking her view stepped back and allowed their eyes to meet. Standing before her was none other than the one who had shown her an incredible weekend of pleasure and then walked out of her life, leaving her heartbroken. Dimitri Androcles Melonakos.
Golden eyes met rich brown and both people’s breaths hitched.

Dimitri froze. When he had been called down to the restaurant to do an “escorting” job of a tourist, he’d felt a growl of anger. He was supposed to be on vacation and he didn’t want to baby-sit some lost person who couldn’t find her way back to the hotel where she had been staying. Hell, he didn’t even want to be on vacation! He was so bored. But the cousin who’d called had said AJ was fighting his attraction for her and didn’t think it would be wise to allow him to escort the cute American.
Cute American. Well, that was one hell of an understatement. The woman who sat on the blue leather booth seat was way more than just cute. He knew every inch of her body; each curve was committed to memory. The taste of her skin was imprinted in his brain.
Three days, two nights of incredible and exquisite pleasure was what they had shared with one another. The emotions he had begun to feel for this woman had been off the charts, and they had frightened him. Since that weekend, Dimitri had seen her from a distance, but had not ever spoken to her again. Not even at the wedding of their mutual friends.
Now, he was across the world from where he had left her only to find they were, once again, face to face. His every wet dream sat dressed in pink, her wavy hair pulled up off her thin neck into a high ponytail.
Ilanderae Nycks.
Staring at her took him back to the time they had last spent together, the weekend they had rented a cabin along the beach and used their time together to make love and play. Away from anyone who might know them, away from prying eyes. Time for just the two of them. Then, he had left, leaving her with more unanswered questions than answers.
The look in her light-chestnut eyes holding his own was anything but loving. It was stark animosity. But then she blinked and a small smile crossed her face. Sliding out of the booth, Landi stood beside AJ.
“This, my dear,” AJ said as his hand settled on the small of her back, “is my cousin, Dimitri. He will see you safely back to the hotel where you are staying. I will be by this evening to take you to dinner.” His fingers danced along the smoothness of her pink shirt.
“Thank you, AJ,” she purred softly. “I can’t wait to see you again. My name is Ilanderae Nycks, but everyone calls me Landi. Pick me up at seven.” Light-brown eyes tipped up to meet the sparkling green ones of the man beside her who nodded his agreement.
Dimitri gritted his teeth. Stepping forward, he nodded brusquely. “Are you ready, ma’am?”
“Of course.” Her response had as much warmth in it as a polar ice cap. That fact wasn’t lost on anyone there.
Reaching out his hand, Dimitri waited for her to take it. Instead, she smiled up again at his cousin and walked right past him to the door, where she paused, tossed her ponytail, and looked over her shoulder at him. Impatience was all over her expression.
With a sigh, Dimitri followed and held the door for her. “Where are you staying?” he asked as she waved to his cousin again before they finally left the restaurant.
The moment they were out of sight of the establishment, Landi stopped walking and glared at the man beside her. “I don’t need or want you to take me anywhere. I’ll be fine.” Tossing her head once more, she began to walk off without another word.
Two steps were as far as she got. A firm hand jerked her back around to face him. An involuntary groan left both of them as they touched. Licking his firm lips, Dimitri shook his head. “I don’t think so, sweetheart. My cousin wants you to have an escort and I will do just that. It’s too damn dangerous for you to be alone here.”
“I think I am in more danger from you, Dimitri Melonakos. Just tell your cousin you escorted me. I don’t really care what you say. I just want you away from me!” She jerked back from his touch as if it burned.
Golden flames burned in his leonine gaze. “Don’t challenge me, sweetheart. We both know how we react to one another. How much you want to bet you are wet right now?”
Her fawn-colored eyes narrowed as her nostrils flared. “You know, you’re probably right. I am wet, but then that cousin of yours is something else.” Landi spun around so fast her ponytail almost smacked him in the face.
A furious snarl erupted from his chest and he was on her heels in seconds. Grabbing her again, this time when he spun her around his mouth was waiting to land on hers. The kiss lasted maybe five seconds before her palm connected with the side of his face.
Smack!
“What the hell do you think you are doing?!” she demanded even as her chest heaved with the exertion it took to find her lost breath.
“Has it been that long since you’ve been kissed?” he taunted. She’d practically melted in his arms before remembering she was angry at him.
“By an ass? Yes!” For the second time in mere moments, she yanked away from him. “Leave me alone!” Ilanderae whirled around and began storming off.
Dimitri followed, but this time he stayed behind her. What the hell was wrong with him? He was the one who had broken things off with her, not the other way around. Believing he was over her went up like smoke the second his eyes had landed on her pink-clothed body.
Ilanderae Nycks was stunning. She was a very small, petite woman who loved the color pink. Every time he had seen her there was some form of the hue on her somewhere. She could work the color, and work it she did.
A wry smile crossed his face as he followed his stomping woman through the streets of Athens. His cousin had no reason to worry; Landi knew her way and was traveling like a pro. Of course she was; he knew she had been here many times, coming for both business and pleasure. Which is she here for this time?
He felt the trouble before he actually saw it. The tension in the crowd was escalating faster than he would have believed possible. Immediately his body went into protect mode, and his gaze zeroed in on Landi.
“Landi,” he shouted over the increasing noise. When she looked back at him with an irritated look, he commanded, “Get back here to me.”
Her eyes flashed dangerously. She hated being told what to do. As she opened her mouth to dispute him, someone shoved her from behind. Dimitri was there to keep her from kissing the pavement.
“God damn it!” she swore. “I am so sick of this!” Her hands curved about his muscular forearms as he led them to the doorway of an old building.
The crowd began chanting; it was obvious a riot was about to ensue. This time when her eyes met his, they weren’t full of anything but concern. “What the hell is going on here, Dimitri?”
“Civil unrest.” His sharp eyes scanned for the safest route to get her out of danger. “Hold on to my hand. Whatever you do, don’t let me go.”
His tone must have told Landi just how serious he was. Normally she would have taken exception to the command, but knowing what he did for a living, she kept quiet. He wouldn’t tell her that unless it was imperative for her wellbeing. “I won’t.”
“Good girl, agapi.” His endearment rolled so naturally off his tongue that it took a moment for either of them to realize what he said.
Landi felt so right near him. Later he could hash out what had—or hadn’t—happened between them. Right now, he had to get them out of this in one piece…even though he’d smashed her heart into millions of them.
Dimitri saw the war waging in her eyes. Tipping her face up more toward his, he asked, “Ready?”
“I think so,” she murmured even as she noticed how much rowdier the crowd was becoming.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Landi. I’ll keep you safe.”
“Okay,” she uttered as her grip on his hand tightened.
He smiled at her, revealing the dimple in his right cheek. “You’ll be fine.”
“I know,” she said immediately. “You’re with me.”
At that second, Dimitri felt invincible. His head lowered and he placed his mouth over hers one more time. Gently. Tenderly.
The rush of emotions that swarmed them took them both back to the beach. To the time they had spent with one another.

Summer Contest

2009-06-26T17:26:00.001+03:00

First and foremost I want to thank y’all for such wonderful support. This is a very simple contest. 5 questions from my various books. Email me at aliyah_burke@hotmail.com with “contest answers” (or something similar) in the subject line, but only at this email addy, any other address and the entry won’t be counted. Please don’t post the answers on the group, or blog. You must have all answers correct and those that do will be put in a ‘hat’ and a friend will draw the winner. The winner of the contest will get a free PDF copy of Dimitri’s Moon when it is released in August. The contest runs from today thru 01 Aug 09. The winner will be posted the next day on 02 Aug 09.

Here we go and best of luck to everyone.

1) What is Erin Watford’s nickname in Through the Fire?
2) In Greeley’s Spyce what is the name of the horse Adam rides?
3) Rowan Kilgour called Faith Henderson by what Scottish endearment in Faith’s Tears?
4) Aspen Townsend in Add A Little Mistletoe works with what?
5) Name CJ’s three brothers from Vittano’s Willow.

Vittano's Willow is now Available!!!!

2009-06-26T05:43:00.003+03:00

It's finally here! Vittano's Willow has been released and is available for purchase at Lulu.

www.stores.lulu.com/aliyahburke

Thanks for all the support and check back later tomorrow for the latest contest which will be posted.

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Release Date for Vittano's Willow

2009-06-22T13:45:00.002+03:00

Good Morning y'all;

Just wanted to post and let people know that this Friday, Vittano's Willow will be coming out from Lulu in both print and ebook. I'm posting the blurb below, I hope you enjoy Osten's story when it comes out. Thanx for the support!

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Blurb for Vittano’s Willow

Devoted high school teacher, Chantoya “CJ” Jackson, tries hard to ignore the man who arrives at her school to try and convince people to join the US Navy. His thick black hair, dark brown eyes, tanned skin, and muscular body makes her think of things she shouldn’t, especially on school grounds.
Osten “Baby Boy” Scoleri is pleasantly surprised to be reunited with a woman he’d met a few times before when he agrees to do a public relations stint at a high school. Her toffee skin, runner’s body, light brown eyes, and black hair still grabs his attention. Top that off with her quick wit and he wants to find out more of what makes her tick and won’t even let her large, overly protective brothers dissuade him.
Her family isn’t the only hurdle. For surrounding CJ is something much more sinister and deadly. The closer they become the more danger she is in. Osten will need more than luck to keep the woman he’s fallen for safe. From Virginia to Vietnam, CJ grows and learns about herself and her relationship with Osten. No matter what the odds, Osten is determined to show CJ he needs her in his life for she is…Vittano’s Willow

Upcoming release!!!

2009-06-11T03:56:00.004+03:00

This is a story I co-wrote with Ms. McKenna Jeffries. It will be released in Aug from Liquid Silver Books.

Here is the blurb, enjoy!

Firefighter Yasmine Van Cort is used to saving people and knows that sometimes, not everyone is rescued. Yet something about her last fire rescue keeps bothering her. She cannot forget the anguish of the man who lost his sister and brother-in-law, the man who is now the guardian of the one survivor of the horrible fire – an innocent baby. Yasmine knows getting involved with those you save can be a bad idea, but she cannot resist checking on him. What she finds is an unexpected complication that will change her.
Sedeo Parker has lost the last of his family and now has to care for his infant niece. Distraught at the loss and the responsibility, he is feeling overwhelmed when the woman who saved his niece comes by. His mixed emotions of gratitude and fury she did not save everyone leave him reeling. The unexpected flash of desire for her only complicates things.
Yasmine knows that with her career, a real relationship is difficult at best. Add to that a victim of fire, and that makes it doubly so. Sedeo, after losing everything to fire, does not know if he can let himself become involved with a woman who fights the very thing he is afraid of. Together, they will have to decide if it’s worth it to take a chance on a wicked burn.

New cover

2009-06-11T03:51:00.005+03:00

Here is the newest cover for the Megalodon Team. Book 5 of 8.
It will be released this month, don't have the day yet, but it is soon. Below is the blurb. Enjoy.

Blurb for Vittano’s Willow

Devoted high school teacher, Chantoya “CJ” Jackson, tries hard to ignore the man who arrives at her school to try and convince people to join the US Navy. His thick black hair, dark brown eyes, tanned skin, and muscular body makes her think of things she shouldn’t, especially on school grounds.
Osten “Baby Boy” Scoleri is pleasantly surprised to be reunited with a woman he’d met a few times before when he agrees to do a public relations stint at a high school. Her toffee skin, runner’s body, light brown eyes, and black hair still grabs his attention. Top that off with her quick wit and he wants to find out more of what makes her tick and won’t even let her large, overly protective brothers dissuade him.
Her family isn’t the only hurdle. For surrounding CJ is something much more sinister and deadly. The closer they become the more danger she is in. Osten will need more than luck to keep the woman he’s fallen for safe. From Virginia to Vietnam, CJ grows and learns about herself and her relationship with Osten. No matter what the odds, Osten is determined to show CJ he needs her in his life for she is…Vittano’s Willow

Other releases

2009-05-03T22:48:00.006+03:00

Just a few other stories that are out now as well.

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/connellys-flame/6568326

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/harriers-healer/5740602

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Coming+Together:+At+Last,+Vol.+2/exact_match=exact

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Add+a+Little+Mistletoe/exact_match=exact

http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=489

New release!

2009-05-03T22:42:00.003+03:00

Wow...I have been bad about posting here and I'm sorry.

Just A Dream (ebook format)

Caden Bradshaw has vowed never again to get involved with a military man. Having lost her Navy husband to war, she knows she couldn't bear to suffer another loss. Her determination fades quickly on meeting handsome Gunnery Sergeant Liam Quinn.
When Liam spies Caden's car stopped in a snowstorm, he's instantly struck by the dark beauty. A whirlwind courtship brings the promise of a lasting relationship, but Caden's stubborness proves to be a roadblock. Can Liam convince Caden that his love for her is real, and not just a dream?

Interracial (BW/WM)

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Just+a+Dream/exact_match=exact

Harrier's Healer is now available!!!

2009-02-22T02:55:00.002+02:00

Just wanted to let everyone know:
Harrier's Healer is now available from Lulu, in both ebook and in print!!
http://www.lulu.com/content/5740602
I'm so excited about this story. Hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

Megalodon Team: Harrier’s Healer Blurb

Rule abiding Naval doctor Alexis Rogets, was fazed by one thing only. The blond commander that she had met two years previous. He owned her dreams. If only all dreams could become reality. But, rules were rules.
Navy SEAL Scott Leighton hadn’t been able to get the toffee skinned Venus out of his mind. Every time he closed his eyes he saw her curvaceous body and her siren-like tiger-eye eyes. He knew she was the one…the only one for him the moment they touched. Just like he knows, some rules were made to be broken.
From the Pacific to the Atlantic to Hong Kong and back, Alexis fights her growing attraction while he fights to have a chance.
Well he wasn’t a SEAL for nothing, Scott is determined to make her realize that their destinies are intertwined. She needed him and he—well, she is after all…
HARRIER’S HEALER

Excerpt from Harrier's Healer

He blinked as he realized she was staring at him, waiting for a response. “I’m sorry, what?” I sound like a moron! he thought ruefully.
“I said you need to take off your shirt. There is a deep tear and I want to evaluate whether or not you require stitches,” she informed him in a crisp and professional voice.
His eyes blazed with a heat that could have burned a hole right into the hull of the ship. “Sure, just a sec.” He began to remove his shirt and couldn’t stop the hiss of pain that slipped out from between his teeth.
Her fingers were there, brushing his out of the way as she searched. “Hang on, let me look.” A couple of noncommittal murmurs left her mouth and went straight into his ears, traveling quickly to his groin. “This needs stitches.” She turned her head and their faces were inches apart.
The busy room seemed to fade away into silence as their twin gazes bore into each other. It would take nothing to lean in and taste her lips, but Alexis pulled her head back abruptly. “Take it off,” she ordered in a brisk tone.
One eyebrow, covered with paint, arched as he said, “What?”
“Your shirt. Take it off and I will clean the wound and get someone to stitch you up,” she elaborated insistently.
Oh, hell no! I am not about to let you weasel your way out of looking at or touching my body! “I want you…” That damn hesitation again, “To do it.”
“Why me? There are plenty of corpsmen who can stitch a wound just fine. There are other people in here hurt worse than you.”
“I remember how well you took care of Cade on the carrier in the Caribbean.”
He and his men had just rescued his second-in-command and best friend Tyson Kincade, along with his wife Jayde, from the mountains of Belize. Her previous duty had been on that aircraft carrier; now she was here in a different ocean and still making him tremble. “Very well,” she said reluctantly.
Scott quirked an eyebrow. “You’re not scared of touching me are you, Alexis?” his deep tone purred.

New Release!!

2009-01-04T03:28:00.002+02:00

Wow...I've been so bad. Haven't posted a thing since Oct of last year. Well, I wanted to let everyone know that book one of the Megalodon Team series has been rereleased. Kincade's Rose is now available at Lulu.

But here is the blurb and the buy link should you be interested.

Kincade’s Rose Blurb
Navy SEAL Tyson Kincade was proud of his emotional control. So how, with one glimpse of the voluptuous sepia beauty sitting alone, all that sanity and control disappeared like waves receding from the beach? From the first moment they touched he knew…he never wanted to let her go.
Ever want to ignore the voice of reason and have that fling with the handsome man you met on vacation? Jayde Porter did. From the second her eyes landed on his tanned muscular body. Then she ran into him, literally. An encounter which led to a scorching kiss, dinner and—marriage? Her life was in chaos.
Exploding planes, night jumping, and jungle dangers. Jayde knew that to survive she would have to trust the man she married.
Can he make her understand they were meant to be together or will they be kept apart by circumstances surrounding them? Together if Tyson has a say in it, for the amazing woman he married is…
KINCADE’S ROSE

http://www.lulu.com/content/4993178

Check out my interview...

2008-10-28T00:54:00.002+02:00

Evenin' y'all:

If you have a chance swing by the Paperback Diva's blog and check out my interview. While you're there, don't forget to check out her work, she's a great author.

http://pbdiva.wordpress.com/

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

It's Here!!!

2008-10-17T06:31:00.002+03:00

Here we go y'all, Ernst's story is now available. Thanks to each and everyone of y'all who hung in there with me while I went through publishers until I came to this decision.
Enjoy!!
http://www.lulu.com/content/4226249
http://stores.lulu.com/aliyahburke

$14.94/print
$5/download

Blurb for Greeley’s Spyce
Kacy Travis can’t help but feel the electricity that flows between her and the handsome man she bumped into on the street. Flaxen blond hair and blue eyes that…seemed able to penetrate through to her soul. What’s a woman to do when faced with such temptation? Will she give in? Or will past memories ruin any chance she has even before it starts?
Navy SEAL Ernst Greeley couldn’t get the woman he’d run into outside the bar out of his mind. Luscious curves, beautiful skin that was like coffee with a splash of cream in it, straight dark brown hair, and some amazing copper eyes. he wanted her. He’d used to believe he had everything in the world, but once he laid his eyes on her, he knew that wasn’t the case. She was the one who could complete him.
From Hawaii to Virginia, Ernst woos the woman he knows is his future. Kacy throws up road blocks and an ugliness from her past may destroy any chance they have at a future. Her trust is slim, can she put her faith in a man who’s trained to hurt people? Will Ernst help her realize she is what he needs in life? She is after all…
Greeley’s Spyce

Release Date for Greeley's Spyce

2008-10-09T00:18:00.003+03:00

Afternoon y'all;

Just wanted to share that on 17 Oct 08 Greeley's Spyce will be released through Lulu. Thanks for the support while I got things sorted out.

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Released today @ TEB...Seducing Damian

2008-09-30T01:45:00.003+03:00

Evenin' y'all.

Just wanted to share that my paranormal was released today at Total E-Bound. I've attached the cover and posted the blurb and a short unedited excerpt. Enjoy!!

Blurb for Seducing Damian
Can a mortal man, without magic or coercion, bring a goddess to her knees just with the power of his love?
Damian Keith teaches Ancient Egyptian history but his love lies in the magic of mythology. An amateur collector of artefacts, he spends much time reading ancient books. Lately his dreams have been invaded by a woman whose touch leaves him breathless and wanting more. Much more. But she never reveals her face to him.
Amenitré Seini is really the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet. Mortal, Damian Keith has enthralled her like no one before. She visits him in his dreams until she can no longer resist the urge to touch him while he’s awake and heads to Earth.
Do they stand a chance at a future together or will Damian push her away once he learns of her deception and who and what she truly is? Can she convince him her love is real and that only in the beginning was it about…
Seducing Damian

Unedited Excerpt from Seducing Damian
Expelling a huge sigh of relief, Damian shut the door to his apartment behind him. “Damn that woman,” he muttered as he kicked off his shoes. Angela had renewed her efforts all the way back to her place to get him to sleep there with her. To have a repeat of this afternoon. But every time she touched him, he felt himself fight not to pull away, repulsed. Like I want anyone after having been touched by perfection.
Leaning against the cool wood of the door, he ran his mind over the events of the evening. “I could have sworn that she had really touched me in that room,” he voiced his belief to the quiet of his apartment.
“I did.”
Damian felt his heart triple in speed. Her voice was everywhere. “Great, now I am hearing her voice outside my head,” he cursed as he pulled off his tie and marched to his bedroom. That sailed to land on a chair and he tugged off his socks as well.
“That’s because I am here, Damian. All you need to do is open your eyes and look.” There was mild censure in the tone.
Glancing around his room, Damian groaned in desperation. I’m going crazy. There was nothing to be seen. “I have officially lost it.”
“Come back into the living room,” the feminine voice ordered.
Unbuttoning the top three buttons of his dress shirt, he did as commanded. There leaning up against the wall by his artifact display stood none other than, Amenitré. “How…you…here…how…”
Her golden eyes ran over his body, and the dirty feel of Angela’s touch vanished as the warmth of her gaze caressed him. “I’m here because for some reason, I can’t get you out of my head. And we began something in that museum that needs to be finished.”
His indigo stare took in the fact that she wore a loose fitting red garment. It flowed about her and tantalized him the more he looked at it. There was a diamond of material missing allowing him to see her belly button and the tantalizing skin immediately around it. Her hair was still free and it settled about her like a cloud.
“How did you know where I live?” he asked. When she raised a jet black brow, he continued, “What happened at the museum? I don’t understand what is going on here.” He was getting frustrated. Fighting the urge to go to her was getting harder and harder.
Pushing away from the wall, she expelled a breath, showing off her annoyance. “Fine. You really want to know? I’ll tell you.”
Damian bit his lip as he saw the deep v-neck of her dress showed off tattoos on her breasts. There was another mark on her arm, but the sleeve concealed it from him. “I want you,” were the only words out of his mouth.

New cover!!

2008-09-27T03:50:00.002+03:00

This is my newest cover. My Christmas story will be released this fall at Phaze. I'll post the release date as soon as I recieve it.

Blurb for Add A Little Mistletoe…
Thirty-five year old Aspen Townsend was home for the holidays. She had a great job and wonderful friends. This holiday season, thanks to the disobedience of a four-year old, Aspen was also reunited with a tanned man who bore silver eyes from her past.
At thirty-eight and facing his first Christmas season out of the rodeo circuit in many years, Colt Larkin wasn’t exactly looking forward to spending the holidays in the sleep little town where he grew up. Until, he came face to face with the mocha beauty he had thought about since high school. Unfortunately, she seemed to harbor an intense dislike for him.
Can he convince her of the truth, or will the lie she has believed for the past twenty years keep them apart?
It happened once before, so perhaps all they need to do, to find their holiday hearts together is…
Add A Little Mistletoe…

Unedited excerpt:

Going around the corner, Aspen found herself facing a group of folks that she hadn’t liked even when they were in school. Apparently twenty years didn’t change her opinion. Still, she smiled as she passed them.
Laughter at her back made her stiffen. But she stopped dead when she heard them mention how the only way a man would kiss her was on a dare. Brown fire raged in her eyes as she turned toward them. The five people shut their mouths and before Aspen could say a word, that potent male voice from her dreams became reality beside her.
Colt Larkin.
“Hey, guys,” he said to the group. Then he put his attention on the woman next to him. With one index finger, he brought her eyes around to his. Her eyes lost their fire and filled with uncertainty. “What time do you want me to come over and help trim your tree?”
Aspen couldn’t speak. If she didn’t know better, she would say he was trying to help her. “I don’t know,” she mumbled.
Leaning in close, he looked over her head and into the cart. Whispering in her ear, “Eight.”
“Eight?” she barely managed to get out.
“Sounds great.” He moved away from her body, his hand lingering along her back. “By the way, thanks for a wonderful breakfast this morning.” He winked at her and glared at the people watching them dumbfounded before walking off.
Aspen was mortified. Not that the first rumor wasn’t bad enough, now this one would be circling around town. Livid, she stormed off after him, “Colt!” she yelled at his retreating back.
With effortless movement, he turned back around. “Yes, Aspen?”
She stomped over to him, leaving her cart behind along with the knowledge that they had an audience. “What the hell were you thinking, telling me ‘thank you’ for breakfast this morning?”
A gleam grew in his eyes that made her think of the devil-may-care attitude he had in high school, when he did what he wanted to get what he wanted. “So I shouldn’t have thanked you for breakfast, then? And, afterward, in the living room?”
“That is not what I meant. I don’t see the need to tell people.” She didn’t see the astonished looks from the town’s members.
“But it was six-thirty this morning. I didn’t want you to think I forgot.”
Fuming, Aspen actually stomped her foot in frustration. “Ohh, it isn’t anyone’s business that you were there. So kindly keep that to yourself from now on.”
“Like you are doing, right now?”
Realization crashed in. “You…you can rot in hell for all I care!” Aspen shouted, as she grabbed her cart and shoved it up to the line.

New Release--Dark Waters anthology

2008-09-25T16:43:00.002+03:00

Here is my latest release. I'm honored to be part of this anthology. So swing by Red Rose Publishing and check it out.

www.redrosepublishing.com

Upcoming release!!!

2008-09-25T16:37:00.003+03:00

Good morning, y'all:

I just wanted to let people know that in Oct book 4 of the Megalodon Team was going to be released. I don't have an exact date at this time, but as soon as I know, I'll post it. Below is the awesome cover and the blurb. Enjoy!

Coming Together: At Last

2008-08-28T15:48:00.001+03:00

August 28, 2008
Celebrate the Diversity of Desire
with Coming Together and Phaze Books
Cincinnati, OH – The latest in the critically acclaimed Coming Together anthology series,
Coming Together: At Last, will debut in January 2009 from Phaze Books. Due to the
overwhelming number and quality of the submissions, it was decided that two volumes of this
title would be published simultaneously, both containing the stirring Introduction penned by New
York Times bestselling author, L.A. Banks. A complete list of the contents can now be found
online at the Coming Together website: www.eroticanthology.com/atlast.htm.
The release of these collections of interracial erotic fiction and poetry will coincide with the
celebration of the birth of one of history's most passionate proponents for human rights and
equality, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and it is from his famous speech given forty-five years
ago on this day that the title words "At Last" are taken. Accordingly, proceeds from sales will
benefit Amnesty International.
Having published four of the nine currently available titles in the charitable anthology
series, Phaze Books is now poised to release its fifth and sixth. The diverse collections of erotic
fiction and poetry feature the work of many well-known authors in addition to fresh new voices in
the genre. Previous Phaze titles in the series include Coming Together: For the Cure, Coming Together: Under Fire, Coming
Together: Special Hurricane Relief Edition, and Coming Together: With Pride. Each is available in both ebook and print
from all major online booksellers.
All proceeds from the sales of Coming Together publications are donated to charity, with the authors and its EPPIE
Award-winning editor, Alessia Brio, donating their time and talents.
Coming Together anthologies have received many accolades including the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Award for
Erotica as well as Top Pick and four star reviews from the romance industry's premier publication: Romantic Times
BOOKreviews Magazine. In its most recent review, Romantic Times favorably compared the series to Susie Bright's Best
American Erotica series. In addition, the organization was a finalist for the Electronic Published Internet Connection's 2008
Friend of ePublishing Award for what Ms. Brio has termed "erotic altruism."
Phaze Books, the erotic imprint of Mundania Press LLC, is one of the fastest growing and most recognizable publishers
in an exploding genre. Its unprecedented support for Coming Together, a voluntary nonprofit association, puts Phaze on the
cutting edge of philanthropy in the publishing industry, a commitment that will continue with its upcoming releases in the
series. Coming Together: Against the Odds will have a mystery theme and will benefit Autism Speaks, while Coming
Together: Into the Light will include stories about the revelation of secrets and will benefit V-Day. Both are currently open
for submissions and will see publication in the coming year.
For more information about Coming Together, visit www.EroticAnthology.com or email editor Alessia Brio at
alessia@eroticanthology.com. For more information about Phaze Books, visit www.PHAZE.com or contact Promotions
Manager Crystal B. Bright at crystal@PHAZE.com.
# # #
Alessia Brio
Coming Together
alessia@eroticanthology.com
www.EroticAnthology.com
and/or
Crystal B. Bright
PHAZE BOOKS
crystal@PHAZE.com
www.PHAZE.com

Contest Time!!

2008-08-07T01:05:00.002+03:00

Good afternoon y'all:
Just wanted to let you know that I'm having another contest. I'm posting 3 questions and will pick one winner from those who send in the correct answers. Please send responses to aliyah_burke@ hotmail.com and put "contest answers" in the subject line.

The winner will have the option of a free copy (pdf I believe) of either Through the Fire or Sin is Not a Four Letter Word when they are released on the 11th of August. I'll stop the contest on the night before and let people know who one, and the winner can let me know which story they'd prefer.

Okay, so here are the questions:
1) What is the name of Tahnee's business in A Little White Lie?
2) What city was the airport in where Niall and Torrye met in An Unlikely Encounter?
3) What is the name of the catering business that Zora and Cami started together in Zora's Chance?
Best of luck to everyone!! Have fun and happy reading!!
~Aliyah

New cover!!

2008-08-05T21:49:00.000+03:00

Here is the cover for the upcoming anthology from RRP in September.

New blurb, and excerpt!!

2008-08-05T04:13:00.003+03:00

Good evening, Y'all:
Just wanted to share my blurb and the excerpt for an anthology that I'm part of. It's coming in September from Red Rose Publishing. I couldn't load the cover at the moment but will try again soon.

Blurb for Faith’s Tears
Can a woman who lives her life based on logic and tangible things believe and trust in the love of a man claiming to be a magical being, a selkie?
From the moment his gaze landed on her dark beauty, Rowan Kilgour knew she was his life-mate. Despite his feelings, he knew she deserved a chance to experience life before she was tied to him forever. So he waited. Seventeen years. And now that he’s found her again, he’ll be damned before he lets her go.
Faith Henderson still wore the pendant given to her years ago by a senior in high school when she was a sophomore. While visiting the Isle of Skye she is reunited with him. His dark hair, muscular body, and dark chocolate mousse eyes still had the power to turn her into a puddle. Add to that his thick Scottish brogue and she was putty.
Can Rowan convince Faith that their lives are intertwined? Will she get past her disbelief in magic to see him for what he truly is? And accept him for it? Or will a darkness from her past keep them separated for all eternity?
Sometimes all destiny needs is salt water, in Rowan’s case all he needed was…
Faith’s Tears

UNEDITED EXCERPT FOR WEBSITE:

This isn’t goodbye, Faith. The words skated across her skin and she fought down the urge to look over her shoulder at the tall handsome Scotsman she walked away from.
“Faith wait!” Sean’s voice reached her and she realized she’d moved past him as well.
Without any intention of waiting for him, she kept on up the street and as she rounded the corner Faith broke into a run. She headed toward the one place she knew Sean wouldn’t find her, for he didn’t know where it was. As she ran to the edge of the rock, she gasped for breath. There was no need for her to clear anything up with Sean, he’d made his bed and he could lie in it. The thing that was concerning her now, was her reaction to seeing Rowan Kilgour again. And his words of that she knew why she did what she did.
He’s right. You know why you allowed him to offer comfort. She couldn’t explain it, it was like when he touched her for the first time in a long time she felt complete. Like he was the other half of her soul.
“That’s just crazy,” she muttered. “It makes no sense at all why a man I haven’t seen since I was a sophomore in high school could have that affect on me.”
“If it helps, you have the same affect on me, Faith,” a deep voice flowed up from behind her and wrapped her in its sensual softness.
Faith didn’t jump, it was as if her body had already known he was there. “Seventeen years is a long time, Rowan.”
“I know,” he said in a graveled voice. “Trust me, leannan, I am well aware of how long it’s been.”
Squeezing her eyes tight, Faith wet her lips with her tongue then opened her eyes. She refused to turn around, unsure if this was just another dream or a cruel hoax. “What do you want, Rowan?”
“You know what I want. The same thing I wanted when I first laid eyes upon you. You, Faith. I want you.”
He said it with such finality and conviction, for a moment, she almost believed him.

Cover for Seducing Damian

2008-07-29T18:49:00.003+03:00

Morning y'all;

Just wanted to share my cover for my paranormal story coming from Total E-Bound in Sept.

Below is the blurb, enjoy!

Blurb for Seducing Damian

Can a mortal man, without magic or coercion, bring a goddess to her knees just with the power of his love?
Damian Keith teaches Ancient Egyptian history but his love lies in the magic of mythology. An amateur collector of artefacts, he spends much time reading ancient books. Lately his dreams have been invaded by a woman whose touch leaves him breathless and wanting more. Much more. But she never reveals her face to him.
Amenitre Seini is really the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet. Mortal, Damian Keith has enthralled her like no one before. She visits him in his dreams until she can no longer resist the urge to touch him while he’s awake and heads to Earth.
Do they stand a chance at a future together or will Damian push her away once he learns of her deception and who and what she truly is? Can she convince him her love is real and that only in the beginning was it about…
Seducing Damian

New Release!!

2008-07-22T21:50:00.003+03:00

Okay, y'all;

Just wanted to share that my story with Midnight Showcase (soon to be MS Fiction) is now available.

http://www.lulu.com/content/3148850

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Chapter 3 of Connelly's Flame--unedited

2008-06-09T03:38:00.003+03:00

Well first off let me apologize for not putting up this chapter last Monday, there really is no excuse for my lapse.

I hope you enjoy this chp of Ross/Dez's story.

CHAPTER 3
Dezarae woke to the sound of a tree branch snapping. Well, we either have an ice storm or it is still snowing out. Sitting up, it took a second to realize that she was in her own bed. “What the hell?” Turning on the bedside light, she glanced around.
There was no stranger in her room. She wore the exact clothes she had been wearing when she went to sleep on the couch.
The couch.
So why was she here? Did I sleepwalk?
Swinging her feet to the floor she slipped into her slippers and headed for the door. The clock had 6:30 displayed on it. Where is my mystery man? A bit hesitant, she moved up the short hallway and stopped.
Sleeping on her couch, which was too small for his big frame, was her gray-eyed southern stranger. He was crammed onto her furniture in a way that didn’t look very comfortable.
Her dark eyes started at his feet, moving up until she halted for staring back at her were those intense gray ones of his. Blinking rapidly, Dezarae moved into the living room, stopping before him.
“What are you doing out here?” she questioned.
“Watching you watch me,” he replied smoothly.
Dezarae tried to ignore the spread of heat in her cheeks. “I mean, I went to bed here. I left you in my bed.”
Those eyes darkened as he muttered, “My little firebird, if we were in bed together you wouldn’t be leaving.” In a louder tone that she could hear he said, “I moved you back there around three.” He sat up exposing his muscled torso to her, which made her knees weak until her eyes hit that tattoo. “You shouldn’t have to give up your bed for me.”
She was still having a hard time pretending she hadn’t heard his comment. But she had and now that image was burned into her brain, overriding her aversion of the tattoo on his chest. “I took the couch because I can fit comfortably on it,” Dezarae stated.
“I’ve slept in way more uncomfortable places than a couch that I am too long for.”
“Really?” came the skeptical question.
“Yes, really,” he assured her.
“Great, that’s great!” she said, her dark eyes wide and her hands spread.
Raising a dark brow, he responded sarcastically, “Nice to know my uncomfortable sleeping situations are amusing to you.”
Dezarae shook her head as she crouched down in front of him, her darker hand covering his lighter one. “No, that’s not it. Not at all. You remembered.”
His eyes widened as the truth of her words sank in. “I did. I did!”
“Anything else?”
“No,” he said, disappointed even as his body reacted to her touch. “I don’t know how or where I know it from, but I know for a fact I have slept in worse conditions. It’s just not clear.”
“Well,” Dezarae spoke as she stood and retrieving her hand. “It’s a start. Let’s go see if we can find you something to wear.” ‘Cause I keep looking at your chest and I may find myself looking at that flag in a whole different light. Then again, I already do.
Dezarae led him down the hall towards her spare room. She had to lead or all she would think about would be how good he looked. Not that walking in front of him changed those images.
It worked out, though, because her visitor was enjoying the view of her in front of him. As he ogled her, she opened the closet to show him a few stacks of folded clothes. “I think you should find something in here that will fit you.” Dezarae backed up so he could walk in. “I’m gonna make some breakfast. Feel free to use the shower; there are clean towels in the cabinet.”
Why in the hell do you have men’s clothes in your home? Why, for that matter, do I care? “Thank you.” He turned towards her in time to catch her heated glance as her dark gaze took in his half-naked body.
“You’re welcome.” Then she was gone.
****
While the quiche cooked, Dezarae bundled up to go outside. There were still practically whiteout conditions. There hadn’t been a snow in the area like this in years.
Standing on her porch, she realized there was no way she was going to town. She could get to her workshop and CB the sheriff at least. That way they would know she had a visitor and would be aware of the accident.
Grabbing the rope, she made her way slowly across her yard. It was a bit of a struggle to force open the side door against the seemingly gale-force winds but soon she was in.
She hit the lights, silently thanking her foresight in having backup generators installed so the building was always warm, and headed for the CB radio that was at the end opposite to where she was, by the main doors.
Turning it on, she began transmitting. “Sheriff, you out there? This is Phoenix, come back.”
A very deep voice reached her waiting ears. “Phoenix, you okay up there, girl?”
“Fine, Dale, fine. Look last night on my way home I passed an accident. There is nothing left of the car except pieces. There was a survivor. He’s here w—”
“He? Damn it, Dez, you know better than that. Who is he?”
Dezarae smiled. Sheriff Dale Ship was her surrogate father. He was sixty and didn’t look a day over forty. He took her well-being very seriously.
“As I was saying,” Dezarae began again. “He is here with me. He is about six four, one hundred ninety, dark brown hair cut short and gray eyes. Oh, and a tat, an anchor, and a chain sitting on a rebel flag.”
“Why are you telling me this? Are you sure it was a rebel flag?”
“I know what a rebel flag looks like. Yes, I am sure. I am telling you because he doesn’t remember his name. He had a head wound and I didn’t find any form of identification on him. See if anyone reports a description like that. I will check in with you later today.”
“One more thing.”
“Go ahead.” She waited for him to say what he needed to.

He walked through the house looking for the woman who had taken him in. Showered and dressed in a pair of clothes he found in the closet, he wandered around her home.
“What would a woman like her be living alone out here for? Where is her man to take care of her?” He looked at all these pictures on her wall of cars. Antiques, classics, they were beautiful.
Dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, he moved to the door and looked out into the dark. He could barely make out the glow of a light from across the way. As the smell of cooking food filled the air, he grabbed a thick jacket and stepped out into nature’s wrath.
Eyes squinted against the wind, he grabbed the rope that was secured to the porch and began to follow it. His feet were freezing as he finally made it to a large building. Opening the door he slipped inside, grateful to be out of the wind and cold. The place wasn’t hot but it was tolerable.
He brushed the snow from his hair and his ears picked up her voice. It sounded like she was on the other side of the building or in a room, for it was muted. When he heard a man’s voice, his gray eyes narrowed.
Stepping out to make his presence known, he took two strides and stopped dead. There were four cars under the lights in various stages of rebuilding. They were classics; they were astounding.
In amazement, he walked closer to the first one. It was cobalt blue and gleamed under the bright lights. “Jesus,” he muttered.
“It’s a 1965 Aston Martin DB6 with a Vantage engine,” a feminine voice said.
He looked up to see her weaving her way across the building to his side. “Whose are they?” One hand gestured to encompass all the vehicles in there.
“Clients. I’m almost done with this one. I’m just making sure the triple twin-choke carburetors and pumps are working properly.” She moved down the line.
“This is the same thing, only a convertible. Both of them are five-speed manuals. They only made 215 of the convertibles. I have a bit more to do on him.”
Gray eyes took in the black convertible. The top was removed and he could see that the gears and wheel were on the right side of the car. The interior was leather, wall-to-wall carpeting, lots of gauges and a wood/metal steering wheel.
“You do this?” the incredulous question came.
“Yep. I do.” With a smile, she took him farther into the shop to the next car. A dark green color. “This is a 1964 Ford Fairlane. And down here is my latest addition to the garage.”
Wordlessly, he followed her to stop in front of a whit car. “What is it?”
“An Oldsmobile Toronado. A 1966 Toronado.”
“You repair cars,” he stated.
“No, I restore cars. My business is Phoenix Restorations and Rebuilds.”
“And you do all this by yourself?”
Chocolate eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms and leaned against the car. “Why are you snooping around out here?”
He seemed taken aback. “What are you talking about? I was looking for you.”
“What difference does it make if I do this myself or not?”
“Hey, I was just asking. Why are you being so defensive?” He took a step towards her.
Even though she was scared, Dezarae refused to budge. “Because you are asking a lot of personal questions and I don’t know you.”
“I am not going to hurt you.” He tried again.
“Look, nothing overly personal, but I have been having some trouble with a few of the locals and I am not inclined to totally trust a man who has a rebel flag tattooed on his chest.”
His eyes hardened. “Nothing personal?” He shook his head, “You tell me you are judging me because of a tattoo but I am not supposed to take it personally. How exactly should I take it?”
“Like it is. Fact. I am just getting a bit nervous here.” Her eyes moved from his tense body back to his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, he held out his hands. “I’ll go. I wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.” He turned around and missed her shocked expression.
“You don’t have to go. I just don’t want to tell you everything about me,” she shouted as he walked away from her.
“Thanks for everything.” Within moments he was gone from the building.
“Shit!” Dezarae ran up to the door and out into the storm after him. “Hey!” she yelled into the wind. “Hey!”
Nothing.

Way to go, Dezarae, send a man to his death just because of a tattoo. She hurried into the house and found him walking out of her room wearing nothing but the clothes he had worn when she found him. Shaking the snow off her head, she held up her hand.
“You don’t have to leave.” She tried again.
“I think it would be best.” He kept walking towards her with sure strides.
“Look, you won’t survive out there,” she pled. I don’t need his death on my conscience.
“I’ll think of something.” He opened the door, after barely touching her, to get by.
“Fine!” She yelled, as he pulled the door shut after him. “Be an idiot, Johnny Reb, I don’t give a damn!” Ripping off her coat, she was totally unprepared for the blast of cold air that hit her as he shoved the door wide open again.
“What did you call me?” he growled, reaching for her and clamping a hand around her.
“An idiot,” she muttered.
“No, after that.” His eyes were fierce as they bore into hers.
“Um, Johnny Reb,” she said quietly, suddenly not as confident as she had been.
He dropped her arm and shut the door with one strong slam. “Johnny Reb, Johnny Reb…Jeb. Jeb, that sounds familiar to me. Jeb, I remember people calling me Jeb.” She was the recipient of a winning smile.
“My name is Jeb,” he said as he hugged her in gratitude.
As the smell of man surrounded Dezarae, she found her body trembling. How was it that one look, one touch from this man could set her to quivering this badly? She moved out of his embrace and smiled back. “Hello, Jeb, I’m Dezarae.”
“Hello, Dezarae, I’m, Jeb, an idiot, can I stay?”
“Of course you can.” She began to walk away but he latched onto her arm again.
“Hey, I’m sorry my tattoo bothers you.”
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry about it.” Your chest bothers me more. I’d like to lick warm chocolate and caramel off it. “Let’s eat. I have to get to work.”
Falling into step beside her, he asked. “Out in the shop?”
“No, I have some paperwork that I have to get done.”
“Let me know if there is anything, anything that I can do.” He fairly purred in her ear.
Swallowing hard, she managed to stutter, “I’ll do that.”

Cover for Through The Fire

2008-06-06T04:53:00.002+03:00

Here is the cover for my story Through The Fire coming 11 Aug 08 from Total E-Bound.

Chapter 2 of Connelly's Flame--unedited

2008-05-26T04:03:00.001+03:00

Here is chapter 2. I know it's early, but I have a busy day planned for tomorrow. Enjoy and happy reading.

CHAPTER 2
Her dark eyes grew big, “What do you mean you don’t know?” She questioned.
A void had settled over him as he saw the information he needed from afar in his mind’s eye and craved but it was just out of reach. “I mean, I don’t know who I am. I don’t know anything. I don’t know who you are or where I am.” He gripped the blanket between lean fingers.
“Easy, easy now. We were never properly introduced so you shouldn’t know who I am. Okay. Calm down, my name is Dezarae. Just take it easy.” One dark hand reached out to touch him in a comforting gesture but at the last second she decided against it and withdrew it to rest at her side.
He began to breathe a bit easier. His mind raced as he tried to figure out what was going on. If he could just remember one thing, anything... “So you didn’t ask me to test me, did you?” The dark head looked around her definitely feminine room and he asked, “You don’t know who I am either, do you?”
“No. I don’t.” A bit uncomfortable, she moved back away from the bed, cup in hand. “You should get some rest. It’s not like you can go anywhere, anyway.” For a brief second, she spotted a dangerous glint in his eyes before it was gone, masked under a face of indifference. “Your clothes are still being washed; that’s why I said what I said.” For the second time in a matter of an hour, she bolted from her own bedroom.
In the kitchen, she held her hand over her chest and tried to slow the out-of-control beating of her heart. Her gaze took in the rattling of the windows as the storm only increased in intensity. The phones were down, she had already tried to call the sheriff but she would go in the morning and see if anyone knew her mysterious guest. Assuming the weather would cooperate.
Eyes open or closed, it didn’t matter. All she could see was his chiseled body. He wasn’t a small man but he wasn’t huge, either. Full of defined muscles from his head down. Undressing him had been fun; if only he hadn’t been near death she might have enjoyed it even more. Even so, she had not missed eyeing over what he offered.

Back in the floral bedroom, the dark haired, gray eyed man fought his growing panic. He had no clothes save for the boxers he was wearing, no idea of where he was, how he got there, or what he was doing in this woman’s bed. Topping it off, he had no freaking idea who he was.
The more he tried to come up with his God-given name, the worse his head felt. Looking down his near-naked body, he frowned as he located a tattoo over one pectoral. It was of an anchor and a chain and the backdrop was a rebel flag. “Who am I?”
Well, she had been right about one thing. He needed some more sleep and so he snuggled down deeper into the plush mattress on the full-size bed and allowed the gentle smell of some flower he couldn’t quite identify to cocoon around him as he fell asleep.
He was sound asleep when she came back into the room.
Dezarae smiled as she took in the stranger in her bed. He had curled up against her stuffed tow truck. His face was finally at peace. Moving silently, she left the room and went to make herself some dinner.

While it was cooking, she took his clothes from the dryer, folded them, and placed them beside the bed where he still slept. Again, Dezarae reached out her hand like she was going to stroke his face only to again withdraw it. There was something about this man that called to her but she wasn’t sure what. It could have been the real fear she had seen when he couldn’t remember his own name but she didn’t know.
One more glance at his body and she slipped back out of the room with an extra blanket for her own use that night. As she was leaving the room, she didn’t notice the slate gaze that settled upon her retreating back watching the sway of her hips with considerable less mistrust in them.
Glancing at her watch, she knew how long she had before dinner and so, sliding on her coveralls, Dezarae went to the garage and began to work on her vehicle. She was restoring a classic. It was a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500, obsidian black.
Her hands were gentle as they moved over the shell of the car. Restoring cars was her passion. She was good at it, as the shop next to her would suggest, but it was this car that she worked on in her free time. Little by little, savoring the experience, for it relaxed her immensely.
So, with a grin, she lifted out the dismantled engine and began to clean parts again, laying them out to dry after she was done. James Blunt played through her garage as she worked. When her watch beeped she stood up, degreased her hands, and unzipped the coveralls, draping them across one worktable, and tuned off the radio before going back into the warm house.
Her house was small, a two-bedroom, one-bath home. It worked for her but with the extra guest she was going to be sleeping on the couch. Which was fine, she had done it before.
Pulling the casserole out of the oven, she placed it on the hot pad on the countertop. The smell filled her kitchen as she walked to the cupboards and got down some dishes. As she turned around, she froze. Leaning in her doorway stood the man she had picked up along side the road.
He stood there like he owned the place. His body was dressed in his jeans that she had left folded beside the bed. No shirt and she could see the defined abs that disappeared below the waistband of those blue jeans. Her eyes traveled over the anchor tattoo that sat on his left pec. Suddenly the rebel flag didn’t give her shivers; well, it did, but not like it usually did.
He oozed sex as he leaned there watching her with those intense gray eyes. Eyes that roamed over her body again as if he owned her and the property rights to her. Up and down, slowly, his gaze moved. Burning her, branding her. It was as if he was learning her most private thoughts just from a look.
“I’m sorry I scared you earlier,” he said in a deep voice.
“How are you feeling?” Dezarae asked him, ignoring the trembles his voice hand delivered her body.
“Good.” He took a step towards her but stopped as she shrank back. A sad expression filled his handsome face. “I won’t hurt you.”

It was hard for him to explain how her recoil from him felt. It hurt but it was more than that. This feeling of wanting to make her feel safe and protected felt familiar to him. But she said they didn’t know each other.
Still, the fact that her beautiful sepia face would fill with apprehension at his forward motion crushed him. He didn’t want that expression anywhere near her face. So he stayed in the doorway. But his eyes never left her; he willed her to believe him.
How could she when he didn’t even know who he was or what he was? A groan of frustration left him as he realized this situation was bordering on hopeless.

Hearing the groan, Dezarae took a step towards him immediately concerned for his wellbeing. “Are you okay?” She walked up to him and realized just how much bigger than her he was. He stood about six feet four inches and all of it was well-muscled.
The man managed to contain the next groan that was about to slip out because of his body’s reaction to her nearness. He didn’t understand it. “Fine. I’m fine.”
“Do you feel well enough to eat something?” she asked as she retreated back to the cupboard and took down another set of dishes.
“I think so.” His gaze wandered over her butt as it was exposed from her reaching to the top shelf. Regardless of the circumstances that brought him here, his body obviously wasn’t broken as far as sexual reactions. She was making him feel some very intense sensations. And, considering his lack of memory, if there was a woman out there who made him feel something more intense it would kill him.
“Well, it isn’t fancy but it will stick to your ribs. I hope you don’t mind chicken casserole.”
“Not at all.” He kept staring at her, hoping she would turn and meet his gaze, but she steadfastly avoided his eyes. After she set the table, she turned and began to prepare a salad as the house shook from the force of the winds.
“Grab a seat,” she murmured, as she opened the fridge to take out the pitcher of cold water she had in there. Turning towards the table, Dezarae sent the man sitting there a nervous smile, wishing he wouldn’t stare at her so.
She dished up the food silently and put the plate in front of him. Turning her attention to her food, not the bronzed torso muscles he had. Concentrating on keeping her gaze firmly on the plate in front of her, she began to eat. Stay firm and concentrate on food. Girl, you know he is firm.

“Where are we?” he asked her as they were finishing up dinner.
“The middle of nowhere. You are about twenty miles from a town called Shadyville. In Montana.”
Shadyville. Why did that name seem familiar to him? Why can’t I remember anything? “Damn it,” he swore as his fist pounded on the tabletop.
Unable to help it, Dezarae jumped and squealed, an act that brought him to a halt.
“Jesus, I did it again. I don’t mean to scare you. I am just so frustrated that I can’t remember anything. I try but it is all just a complete blank.” His frustration was palpable even to her.
“I’m sorry. I am just not used to having a…a…a…” She had no idea of how to finish that sentence.
For the first time a half smile cracked that face. Firm lips twitched as he filled it in, “A man in the house.” He was glad she wasn’t.
“Well…yes, I guess.”
“Or a white man?” His eyes grabbed hers and forced a connection.
She nodded and said candidly, for if there was one thing about Dezarae Phoenix Kerry, it was honest. “Especially not a white man.” Even more, not one sporting a freaking rebel flag tattoo.
“Do you have something against white men?” The blunt question was asked as charcoal gray held dark chocolate. Please say no.
“Not that I’m aware of. Have something against black women?” she asked in return. On the other hand, do I want to know if you do?
“No, not at all.” If I ever did, I don’t remember it and I don’t now. I wish she wasn’t glancing at my tattoo so often.
“Well, at least we got that out of the way. I have to tell you,” she said as she cleared off the dinner dishes and set down a blueberry cobbler and a pot of coffee. “I don’t know if I will be able to take you to town tomorrow if this storm keeps going the way it is.”
“And you don’t mind me being here?” His head cocked to the side as he accepted the helping of warm cobbler and a hot mug of coffee.
“I’m not going to send you out in the storm, if that is your concern. You didn’t even have a coat on. And, while I don’t know you from a hole in the ground, I don’t want to send you to your death.”
“That’s good, ‘cause it would severely hamper our courting,” he said with a bone-melting grin.
A brilliant smile filled her face. “Our courting?”
“Well, I don’t always let women undress me down to my boxers, and let me sleep in their bed. So I figure we must be courting.”
Her body shook at some images her mind painted for her. “That is an interesting piece of logic you have there. What makes you think you I am interested in being courted by you?” She arched her brows and stared at the handsome stranger across from her.
He took a bite of the cobbler, washed it down with a swig of the coffee she had placed there, and never once released her gaze. “You just said you didn’t have anything against white men.”
“I don’t, but it doesn’t mean you are my kind of man, does it?” she questioned him.
There was a flash of something foreign in his eyes as they moved over her upper torso. “Oh, I’m your kind of man. I can see how you react to me,” he purred as he drew the fork slowly out of his firm mouth.
He is a tease. “So you are handsome, big deal.” It was a struggle to keep her true feelings off her face.
He shrugged. “Glad you find me handsome, and I know you think it is a big deal.” He winked suddenly. “I think you are enchanting.”
“You don’t know me.”
“True. Tell me about you.” His request came out more like an order.
Standing, she removed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, got it set, and turned it on. “It’s late; you should get some sleep.” She put her hand out, gesturing for him to leave the kitchen first.
He acquiesced. His body was exhausted still, so he didn’t put up much of an argument. As he got to the entrance to the bedroom, he stopped suddenly. Turning to face the beautiful woman trailing him, he reached out one tanned hand and caressed her face. “Thank you for all you are doing for me.”
“Anybody would have done it,” she said, moving back, uncomfortable with the feelings his simple touch evoked in her.
I don’t think they would have. “Tell me something.” This time it was a request, not a command.
“If I tell you what you want to know, then will you go to bed?” Dezarae questioned.
“I’ll even let you tuck me in,” came his saucy reply.
How nice that could be. “Ask your question.”
“What is your full name?” One hand reached for her before clenching and remaining at his side.
“Dezarae spelled D-E-Z-A-R-A-E, Phoenix Kerry. Now, get some sleep.” It was a gentle push that she gave him to send him in the door. “Good night.”
Both trembled from the contact but neither responded to it. “Night.” My little firebird. He walked into the room, stopping by the bed to turn around and meet her gaze. “Sure you don’t want to tuck me in?”
“I’m sure a strong man like yourself can handle that,” she smirked, liking how his teasing brightened his whole persona, making him less severe.
“Glad to you know also think I am strong,” he teased back.
Dezarae refused to answer him, just left the room with a shake of her head.

The digital readout on the clock said 3:00 in the morning. Body not as sore but feeling just as disoriented, the man who had no name got out of the soft bed and padded silently to the door. His gray eyes easily adjusted to the dark as he stuck his head out into the hallway.
There was another door to his right and he cracked it open, looking for his hostess. Nothing in there but books and papers that were scattered all over the room. He walked past the bathroom door and, as he walked into the living room, he found her.
She lay on the couch sound asleep. A blanket covered her from toes to chin. I can’t believe she took the couch and let me have her bed. A gentle smile crossed his face as he moved silently into the room and knelt down beside her.
“Thank you for saving my life, Dezarae Phoenix Kerry. Thank you.” he whispered as his hand trailed down the side of her sleeping face, almost—but not quite—touching the skin that was smoother than silk.
When she moaned softly and tried to burrow deeper into the couch, he reacted. With ease, he slid his arms under her and lifted her off the couch and carried her back down the hall to place her in her own bed. She never woke.
After tucking her in, he brushed some wayward curls off her face, staring at her like he couldn’t get enough. “Sleep well, my little firebird, sleep well.” Before he did something he couldn’t take back, the man with the gray eyes left the room, carrying the blanket she had used on the couch, and took her place.

Chapter 1 of Connelly's Flame--unedited

2008-05-19T22:23:00.001+03:00

Here is the first chapter to Connelly's Flame. Unedited. Enjoy.

Prologue
So this is what it feels like to be at the end of your life.
The car careened out of control, spilling hot coffee all over the dark-haired man behind the wheel burning his leg. A burn that soon faded from memory. As the vehicle crashed through the guardrail along the isolated highway to flip down the snow-covered embankment, the relatively short life of its driver flashed before steel gray eyes.
Ross Murdock Connelly wished he would just be able to see the love of his life one more time. He knew he had been driving too fast along the slick roads but the desire to see her overcame his normal sense. To be able to hold her in his arms one more time. So he had taken this supposed shortcut, an idea that seemed pointless as he grew dizzy from the revolutions the car made.
As he was tossed from the vehicle he lost consciousnesses. Waking in the snow moments later he felt rather than saw the incinerating blast that engulfed the totaled vehicle. The swirling winds covered the sound of the explosion as the metal ripped apart and flew into the night sky.
“Charmane,” his injured voice muttered as his eyes closed again, submitting him to the pain free world of oblivion where a beautiful face with sparkling doe eyes beckoned to him.
CHAPTER 1
“Where the hell is that smoke coming from?” the scratchy voice asked the interior of her vehicle. “I’m the only one that lives up this way. For that matter, who the hell is traveling on this road this time of the year?”
The old Land Rover was moving about five miles an hour. Even at night the smoke was obvious, billowing across the beams her headlights made as they cut through the snow and wind. As the dented vehicle passed the broken guardrail, she knew.
“Damn it,” she swore as she stopped as carefully as she could. Setting the brake, she turned the heat to high and began to shove her body into the thick coat and other winter accessories that had been eagerly discarded the second her body was warm enough in the car.
Fighting the wind and snow whose chill cut right through the thick layers of clothing she wore, Dezarae Phoenix Kerry began to yell into the night. “Hello? Hello! Is anyone down here?”
Struggling to slip only a minimal amount, she gazed through slitted eyes as she approached the wreckage. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.” Gathering the thick coat tighter against her body, she realized that if there had been anyone in the car, they were dead now. Still, she looked around.
By some miraculous stroke of luck Dezarae found her eyes drawn to what looked like a human lying face first in the snow, illuminated by the burning glow of the car. Eyes watering from the stinging force of snow pellets, she struggled to get to him.
“Are you okay?” she screamed only to have her words whipped away into the night. No response. Kneeling beside the body, she touched the shoulder and asked again. Nothing.
The person lying there was a man. A large man wearing only a long-sleeved shirt and pants. No jacket or anything. “How the hell am I going to get you up the hill?” she muttered as she cleared away the snow from his face so he could breathe. Then she checked for a pulse; he had one.
****
A groan barely reached her ears. But she took it as a good sign. “Hey! Hey, Mister. You okay?” Dezarae noticed his body shivering and, without a second thought, took off her heavy wool coat and put it over his body.
“Mister. Come on, wake up!” she yelled down by his ear. Even through the layers of clothes she wore she immediately felt winter’s bite down to her bones. “Can you move?” Dezarae knew the dangers of moving an accident victim but he would die out here if he didn’t move. Her teeth began to chatter.
“I’m here,” a gravely voice said.
Thank the good Lord. “Can you move? Do you think you can help me get you up? Or does it feel like you have a neck injury?”
“I can move,” he rasped.
“Okay, slowly now. I will help you.”
Inch by tortuous inch, the man moved. Dezarae felt her eyes grow wide as she looked at his body. Dear Lord, he is fine and big. As he managed to get to his hands and knees, she helped him slip the coat on. It barely seemed to fit him while it engulfed her.
Dropping into the snow, Dezarae slipped under his shoulder to help support him. He smells like leather and spices. Shaking her head she waited for him to drop more of his weight on her. Come on man, I’m freezing here. “I can help you. Let’s go.”
Almost reluctantly it seemed, he let her have some more of his weight. As he got unsteadily to his feet they began the climb up the hill. The farther up they got, the more of his weight she supported.
“Good thing I am not a weakling here, Man,” she mumbled under her breath. “You weigh a lot more than it looks like you would.” Dezarae had never been so happy to see her car.
Opening the door, she helped him into the back and just kind of pushed him in. He toppled over to the side and, after making sure his feet were in, she shut the door to move to the other side and drag him across the seat so he was almost stretched out. Then it was back to the tailgate to grab another blanket to cover him with.
Climbing into the driver’s seat, she allowed the warmth to seep into her body. Taking a drink of her now-lukewarm coffee she pulled off her gloves, wiped her eyes, and began to drive home. She glanced back frequently at the man in her backseat. He had apparently drifted back into unconsciousness.

Pulling into her garage, she turned off her vehicle and got out. “Good work today, Old Man,” she said as she patted the green door affectionately. Dezarae moved to the back and opened it.
The man lying there had a cut on his head. He had dark hair that was cut short. A face that was beginning to show the signs of a shadow seemed sad. Thick black lashes rested against his cheeks.
Cocking her head to the side, Dezarae smiled as she looked at him. He was very handsome. And in danger of getting pneumonia if she didn’t get to work. “I don’t know who you are, Mister, but you have to wake up again.”
“I’m awake,” that deep voice grated although the eyes never opened.
“Sit up and we will get you inside where it is warm. Come on,” she insisted.
Like before, he moved slowly. But this time there was no wind, snow, or hill to fight. So it didn’t take long before she was helping him into her bed dressed in only his boxers. Great, I find a man and he has a damn rebel flag tat on his chest as a backdrop for an anchor. Damn, he is fine, even with that tat; I hope he doesn’t get frostbite.
She gazed over his limbs and didn’t see any signs of it, but time would tell. It was important now to get him warm. Dezarae covered him in her blankets and thick comforter before she left to change into dry clothes herself and make him something warm to drink.

Finally warm, dry, and comfortable, Dezarae slipped back into her bedroom to check on her ‘guest’. He had drunk the cup of broth she had made for him but she wanted to wake him up every now and then. His head injury was cleaned and bandaged and, as she looked at him, she saw he was sleeping comfortably.
Gathering up his wet clothes, she searched for any kind of identification and couldn’t find a single thing. No wallet, nothing.
“Well,” she whispered as she took his clothes out of the room and put them in the washer. “I sure hope you aren’t a serial killer.” After the load was set, she returned to her room.
“Wake up,” she said softly. Nothing. Fearing the worst, Dezarae reached down to pat him on the cheek. “Hey,” she spoke in a normal tone. “Wake up.”
The second her hand landed on his stubbled face, her wrist was caught in an ironclad grasp. Panicked, she flashed her eyes to his and found herself looking into the steeliest gunmetal eyes she had ever seen. They were alert and they scared her.
◊◊◊◊
Warm. Comfortable. Dry.
Finally he was warm.
Fuzzy recollections flashed through his head as he remembered being helped into a vehicle. The most vivid thing he could remember was the cold. The biting pain of the cold.
Now it was warm. He felt better.
The faint sound of the door opening brought him as alert as he could be. Watching through his lashes he lay still as the figure of a woman filled the doorway.
She was pretty, if he wanted to think about it. A thick green sweatshirt concealed most of her figure from him but he would guess she was very curvaceous. Her skin was brown, nut-brown. He would put her about five-five. Her hair was thick and curly, hanging down past her shoulders, framing her face gently. Her lips were full and lush.
It was her eyes that got him. They were dark and they stared directly at him as she moved quietly into the room. It seemed to be almost concern he saw in them and he wanted to know what color they were. He noticed she wore a pair of black sweatpants and had large fuzzy red slippers on her feet, as if she had killed Elmo or Animal and turned one of them into a pair of slippers.
As he lay there, he watched her go through his clothes, searching for something. She took his clothes and left just as silently as she had appeared. He didn’t know who she was and that bothered him.
His mind was just too jumbled right now to figure things out. Before he could do anything one way or the other, the doorway was once again filled by his mysterious woman.
She moved effortlessly across the floor to stop beside the bed. Her head tilted to the side as she gazed upon him. “Wake up,” her silken voice said. He refused to move and she spoke again. “Hey, wake up.”
He’d had an instinctive reaction when her hand touched his face. Without conscious thought, he grabbed her and captured her wrist in his hand. She gave a frightened gasp as her eyes moved up to meet his.
Chocolate. Sinfully dark chocolates were what her eyes reminded him of.
◊◊◊◊
A pink tongue snuck out and licked full dusky lips. “Can you let me go please? I am not going to hurt you. I just had to wake you up.” Dezarae could feel the intense pounding of her heart. “Please, you’re hurting me.”
Those eyes never left hers as he dropped her wrist as if it burned him. He remained silent as she stood straight and rubbed her sore wrist. “Sorry I frightened you but I was worried that you had fallen unconscious again,” she muttered, still absently rubbing her wrist.
Those smoky eyes moved down her body slowly and back up again making Dezarae feel as if she stood before him totally naked. When that intense gaze reached her eyes again, she felt flushed.
Damn it. No man has made me feel like this before. At least not a man I don’t know and have never met. Swallowing to give herself extra time to regain her composure, Dezarae tried to affect a look of indifference.
“Can you stay awake until I get you some more broth to drink?” she asked, glad he didn’t know her well enough to know just how affected her voice sounded.
Still, all he did was stare at her. Jesus, that is one unnerving stare. “I will take that as a ‘Yes’. I’ll be right back.” Dezarae fled to the solitude of her kitchen and made him another cup of broth. By the time it was ready, her heartbeat had returned to normal.

This time she knocked on the doorframe before she walked in, holding the cup as if it would keep her safe from him and his stare. With determined steps, she moved to the bedside and held it out to him even as his eyes held hers.
“Here, drink this.” She flicked her gaze from his to the drink and back again. My God, he is suspicious. “What, you think it’s poisoned?”
Well, those eyes narrowed as they moved from her face down her chest and back again. They stared into her soul and assessed her. Unnerved her.
“Look.” She put the cup up to her lips and took a drink of the warm liquid. “It is fine, now come on you need to get some nourishment in you.” Dezarae offered him the cup again.
One strong tanned hand reached up and took the cup from hers. A quivering began in her belly as she felt his fingers graze against hers. Bringing the cup to his mouth at the very last second, he turned it and drank from the exact spot that she had put her lips. Those gray eyes never left hers as he drained the cup.
What would it be like to have his lips on mine? Guess he doesn’t have anything against me yet. Knees trembling from the erotic picture his lips touching the same place as hers had she took the cup back and swallowed. Now was as good a time as any. “Who are you?”
He blinked as he looked almost hesitant since she had seen him awake. Dark masculine brows furrowed in thought. Only to scrunch together tighter before he looked up at her and said in a confused voice. “I don’t know.”

Different Cover Art

2008-05-19T22:21:00.001+03:00

Well...we've changed the cover of The Princess & The Marquess a tiny bit, so here is the new cover. Still coming this summer from MS Fiction.

Enjoy and Happy reading,

~Aliyah

New cover

2008-05-16T16:54:00.003+03:00

Morning Y'all:

Just wanted to share my cover for the story coming this summer to MS Fiction.

And here is the blurb for this story.

LUCIEN ST. MARTIN, Marquess of Heartstone, is ordered to travel to the “the uncivilized” part of the world. The Colonies. How was he to know everything was about to shift on its axis.

CIARA MCKAY is known as “The heart of the Mountain.” She lives near a town but chooses to remain alone up in the mountains. Her world is changed the day she encounters a man being tossed about by an enraged mother bear.

Long winter nights lead to explosive passions. Seven years pass before they meet again. Can they overcome the “accepted” rules of society? Or will “the heart of the mountain” cease to be?
Is it possible that Lucien can convince her to give them another chance? Will Ciara accept her destiny that together is the only way for them to be, as the…
The Princess and the Marquess

Chapter 3 of Harrier's Healer--unedited

2008-05-12T16:47:00.001+03:00

CHAPTER THREE
“Sir, I believe I asked you a question,” the smaller officer said.
“What’s going on here?” Scott asked, moving to stand closer to the woman he was going to protect for the rest of her life. That and marry her.
“We are looking for a man who was injured in this area who fits your description. Can I see your identification, please?” The officer held out his hand.
“Sure, but if you don’t know who the man is, then what good is my identification going to do?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet to get his card.
“You sure are asking a lot of questions. What’s your name?” He gestured impatiently for the piece of plastic.
“Lieutenant Commander Scott Leighton,” he snapped in return, handing over his military identification. He didn’t like the way the men looked at Alexis. Hell, I don’t like any man looking at Alexis. My Alexis.
“How do you know Ms. Rogets here?” the larger man asked in a snide tone.
Thick arms crossed, showing Alexis not one shred of pain from his wound, as a blonde eyebrow rose. “Are you trying to imply something, Officer?” He looked at the nametag. “Johnson?”
The officer took a deep breath and tried to look as impressive as Scott, only to fail miserably. “Of course not, it’s just that we are wondering what you are doing here.”
Aren’t we all, Alexis thought as she relocated next to the statue of carved muscle in her living room. “We are both in the Navy and have,” she glanced at him, “served time on the same ship.”
Scott looked at the woman standing next to him, her head barely coming to his shoulder. She was ready to defend him. He held out his tanned hand for his ID. It was returned to him with great reluctance. “I had some business to do around here and came to ask Alexis for her help on it.” His eyes dared the men to say anything to dispute him.
Clearing their throats, the police looked at the five young men also in the room and the smaller one, Officer Petrasla, nodded his head at them. “What are they doing here?”
Fists clenching, Alexis took a step forward. “They have every right to be here. They were here last night. This is my cousin and his friends. Are you implying something, now?” Her tone had grown cold.
It was a simple action by Scott, reaching out and touching her shoulder, but it halted her forward movement. “I’m sure,” he drawled, “that these officers wouldn’t insinuate anything when it is obvious that I am not the man they are looking for and the young men here are not doing a single thing wrong.”
Officer Johnson got the hint and shrugged. “Well, if you see him, Ms. Rogets, please give us a call.” He grabbed his partner’s arm and led him back out the screen door and down to the patrol car.
“What made them come here?” That deep voice caressed her, chasing away the anger she had from the visit.
“They always come here. I don’t always know them but the officers always know me.” Alexis looked at the young men in her house. “Well, come on then. Breakfast is ready. Put your things away and get into the kitchen. I have better things to do today than baby-sit you bunch of ragamuffins,” she huffed even as she winked at them.
“We love you too, Lex,” the group said as one before they headed for their sleeping bags to put them back in the hall closet.
She grumbled and walked off, just expecting that Scott would follow her. “Well, get yourself some breakfast, Commander, unless it isn’t your kind of food.”
Scott looked at the sideboard that teemed with steaming food. It looked like enough to feed an army, or at least his SEAL team. His stomach growled as the intoxicating aromas filled his nose.
“Go on, if you want any. Better get it before they get here.” Alexis nodded toward the stack of plates.
“And you?” His question fell as he reached for a plate, trying to hand it to her.
“No, I already ate.” I can’t eat in front of him. I have enough of a hard time just trying to swallow in front of him.
His eyes moved slowly up and down her body. “Really?” he asked doubtfully.
“I snacked while I made breakfast.” The noise from the boys grew louder.
“Don’t you know I know you are lying to me? Trust me; I like a woman who’s willing to eat in front of me. Are you back to being scared, Alexis?” he challenged.
Damn you, Scott. Just kiss me. She snatched a plate and before she could say a word, he interjected, “Or did you need a good morning kiss?” His mouth was right next to her ear.
Jesú, it’s like he is reading my mind. “I don’t think so,” she managed to mutter.
“I do.” His arm snaked around her waist, spinning her towards his body…and his mouth. Unlike their first kiss on the carrier, this one was gentle. A learning kiss. Scott slipped his tongue into her mouth and stroked it against her own. A slow-drugging kiss that had her shaking on her feet.
This man could kiss. Time stood still for the two as they were locked in an embrace. Scott had one arm around her and her one free arm slowly made its way around his lean waist.
“Uh-hmmm,” came the interruption. “Lex, what the hell is Casper doing sucking on your face?”
They moved slowly apart, like snails in winter. Scott drew her bottom lip into his mouth as they separated, keeping her close for a moment longer. “I love how you taste,” he whispered as he released her.
“Eat your breakfast, Jay.” Her chest heaved as she moved towards the food herself.
“And Casper here?”
“Why do you keep calling me that?” Scott asked.
“Have you noticed your skin color, man?” Jay snapped, taking his plate and making it so Scott couldn’t stand next to Lex.
“I get it, Casper, as in the ghost, the Friendly Ghost.” He moved to the other side of Alexis and ignored the warning glare from her pintsized bodyguard.
“Man, I don’t want your lips anywhere near Lex,” Jay threatened.
Setting down his plate beside the seat that Alexis took, Scott sat down and pinned the young man with a purposefully-bland stare. “My relationship with Alexis is not any of your concern.”
“Jay, sit down,” she interjected because she knew where this was heading. “Commander Leighton and I don’t have a relationship other than a working one. What you saw was a mistake and it won’t be happening again,” Alexis said firmly.
Like hell it won’t be happening again. “There you have it.” Scott sent Alexis a small shake of his head before dropping it and digging into his breakfast with relish. His relationship was too new for him to hash things out with a young man who wanted to protect her.

As the rest of the group sat down at her long table to eat, talk was turned towards Alexis and her plans for the day. “What gives you boys the right to think you can run my life?” she asked the young men.
“We’re family,” they responded as one.
“And, yet, you don’t stay out of trouble. I can’t help you out next time. You know that, don’t you?” Her tawny gaze pinned each and every young man there.
“Yes, Lex. We know.”
One by one they finished and put their dishes in the sink before kissing her on the cheek and leaving the kitchen. “Dinner’s at six-thirty; it’s ribs. I’ll do some laundry tomorrow as well, so bring a change of clothes,” she yelled to their retreating backs.
As the screen door slammed, it dawned on the two adults that they were completely alone. No young people, no crew, no ship, no regulations. Just them. A man and a woman who had a fierce attraction for one another.
Swallowing hard, Alexis shoved back from the table and took her dishes to the sink. She opened the dishwasher and began to load it. Trying hard to stay focused on the job at hand. He’s hard. And so much more fun to focus on.
“You can’t ignore me forever, Alexis.” His velvet tone moved over her.
I will do my damnedest. “I’m not ignoring you,” she lied. “I am just cleaning up.”
His chair scraped the wooden floor as he rose with his plate in hand. A glance at the sideboard showed nothing but empty dishes. Those boys had cleaned up every bit of food she made for them. “Wow, they sure can eat a lot,” he said as he handed her the plate.
“They are growing boys,” she replied easily. It was nothing new for her to feed them. It was just something she did.
“So am I,” he muttered as his gaze swept over her denim-covered ass.
Shutting the black door of the dishwasher, she leaned against it and met the blue gaze of the only person who could make her lose her mind. “Tell me where you got the gunshot wound.” Her tone was doctor-like, demanding an answer.
“There was some kind of shootout a few streets over from where you found me. It was a stray bullet.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What were you doing down here, anyway? No offense, Commander, but you don’t exactly fit the look of the majority of people that come down here.”
“Would you please not call me Commander? If you won’t call me Scott, call me Harrier. But for the love of God, Alexis, we aren’t on any military installation anymore. Don’t call me Commander.”
“It’s easier for me to call you Commander, but I will try to call you Scott for the time being.” At his gesture, she took a seat across from him at the table. “What are you doing here? I’m not going to believe you have family down here.” She raised a brow quizzically.
The one that I am here to see will be family soon. “I needed to see you.” His blatant statement made her eyes grow wide.
Insides trembling, she didn’t want to ask the question that slipped out of her mouth. “Why?”
He sent her a look like ‘you can’t be serious’. “Because since I met you in Norfolk, I can think of nothing but you. Jesus, Alexis, I know this will sound corny but you have bewitched me. Totally.”
It was a good thing she was sitting down, because her knees were shaking like there was an earthquake rumbling beneath them. “We can’t do this,” came her inevitable protest.
“Don’t give me that whole code of behavior or modus operandi shit, Alexis. Where is the nearest military base from here?” At her silence he continued, “See, there is no reason for that to be an issue. You do realize that, although it is frowned upon, people do fraternize in the Navy.”
“It may not be a problem for you, being a commissioned officer, but for us non-coms it is. I am not willing to risk my career for a roll in the sack with you, no matter how much I want to, only to have you need to put me somewhere where I won’t be able to ruin your career, or to please your ‘trophy’ wife. I worked my ass off in Harvard and I love serving in the Navy, so no matter how tempting it may be.” Her eyes roved over the exposed part of his body as her voice deepened with desire, “And it is tempting, but not worth my career.” Sure it would be, to be loved all over by that man. Hell, yeah!
His tall body rose gracefully out of the chair and lifted her boldly out of hers, cradling her in his steel-lined arms. He walked to the countertop and set her down, wedging his body between her spread thighs. “I would never,” he stated as his hands found the hem of her shirt and moved under it, searching for the skin he knew would be smooth as silk. “Never do anything like that to you. I’m not looking for a roll in the hay with you, my little healer. I was thinking something much more permanent than that.”
“What do you want from me?” she gasped as his large hands moved up her sides over the lace of her bra.
“I want everything from you.” He took a deep breath and moved his hands down out of her shirt and placed them on her sides. “Everything.” Then he stepped back and allowed her to jump down from the counter.
“So you took a chance in coming down here, to maybe run into me and what, try out sex with the HMC?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “For that matter, how did you know where to find me?”
He moved towards her again, “I’m a SEAL. That’s what I do. And I know you are on leave for the next twenty days.” His eyes looked at her directly, “Just like you know all about my file.”
God, everything about him made her tremble. “I don’t know anything about you, Commander.” She was using his title as a barrier.
He knew it. “Don’t start with that shit again, Alexis,” his warning came.
“I have things to do.” The fiery woman stomped off to the living room where she began to clean it up and get it ready for the evening.
Scott followed her. He leaned in the doorway and watched as she moved around her living room picking up things and fluffing pillows. “What were you doing over there last night?” His question startled her.
“If you must know, I was on a date.” She never missed a beat with her cleaning.
“With who?” Those two words were growled with such animosity she stopped and looked at the man who uttered them. His eyes were shards of ice and there was a very pronounced tick in his jaw.
“That is none of your business.” He’s jealous, Alexis told herself with one hand on her hip.
The hell it isn’t. “Believe what you will, but you’re wrong. It is my business. Everything about you is my business.”
“So says you,” she muttered.
“At least you are beginning to see it my way,” came his smart-ass remark. His hard body plunked itself down on the couch that she had just finished straightening as if it had every right to.
Throwing the pillow she held in her hand at him, she just sat down in a leather chair and watched as he snatched it out of the air, nice and easy-like. “So tell me what you are doing here, in my neck of the woods?”
“I told you, I came to see you.”
“Well, you have seen me.”
Not as much of you as I want to. “Take a vacation with me,” he blurted out.
“What?”
“Come on, take a vacation with me. I have some down time, at least a week. We could take a cruise,” he grimaced. “Sorry, I forget you are on the water all the time. A rail ride, spend a few days with me. Get to know me, inside and out.”
There’s a loaded statement. “I am on vacation.”
“Is this really the vacation you want? Or would you rather spend time with me? I will do whatever you want, anoint you with baby oil, rub you down anytime you want. We can go to movies, whatever. Spend about a week with me, have room service, let me take care of you.”
This has to be a dream, because there wouldn’t be a cold chance in hell that Lt. Commander would want to spend a vacation with her. “I get it, this is another dream. Very funny, Lex, come on wake up. Keep this up and before long you are going to be naked with this man of your every fantasy and erotic dream. Commander Leighton. And then, as usual, we will wake up before we actually get to what I have wanted since I was almost run over by his fine-ass body,” She mumbled as she got up off the chair and walked back to her bedroom, rubbing her head totally ignorant of the wide grin on the very real and now very knowledgeable Commander Leighton about her fantasies in which he was the star player.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2008-05-11T19:37:00.002+03:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. Hope it's a great one.

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

News

2008-05-06T01:27:00.003+03:00

Well I just wanted to share with everyone my wonderful news.

First, I've signed three contracts with publishers. Two with Total E-Bound and one with Phaze. The stories are Seducing Damian, Through the Fire, and Add A Little Mistletoe... The first two are the ones which will be out with TEB and the thrid is coming out with Phaze.

Second, the anthology, Camouflaged Hearts is being released in print. The date we've been told is 15 May 08. Below is the print flat of the cover. I'm so excited. I love all the stories in this anthology and am so proud to have been a part of it.

Chapter 2 of Harrier's Healer--unedited

2008-05-06T01:24:00.001+03:00

I'm so sorry I'm so late in the day in posting this. But here you go, the unedited chp 2.

CHAPTER TWO
Six months later…
The bullet wound in his side seemed to be getting worse. What did you expect Scott, that it would feel better? He stumbled down the darkened street knowing that he had just as much chance of dying from the bullet as he did from the people whose neighborhood he was in. He was not of the right persuasion to be down here, but he didn’t care.
The sudden lights blinded him and he stumbled to a halt, holding his hand in front of his eyes. As he lowered his hand he found himself surrounded by a group of younger men of a variety of races who didn’t look at all happy to see him. He saw their weapons, shoved into the waistbands of their pants and his body; although extremely fatigued, he went into battle mode.
“Well, well, well. What have we here?” one of the men asked his friends.
“I think you took the wrong street, man,” another said as a third shoved the intruder to the ground.
Scott showed no emotion as he was forced to the pavement. Maybe they just want to scare me, he told himself. The second he felt a kick in his side he knew he had been wrong. He was about to get beaten up by a gang. His body reacted violently as the next person kicked him.
Reaching out, he grabbed the leg and twisted it, tossing the man off balance. As that man hit the ground, the others began to swarm over him. The loss of blood slowed Scott down considerably. The men were high and felt no pain, whereas he did. He was holding his own until he felt a hit into the back of his head and he dropped like a light, losing what little ground he had gained.
*****
What are they up to now? Alexis hurried towards the group of guys that seemed to be kicking or at least prodding something. Last week she had found them beating a helpless puppy in a bag, this was getting old. “Hey!” she shouted, getting their attention. “Back off,” she ordered. Her hair bounced in time with her steps; she had just left the corner bar from her date and wasn’t in the mood for Jay and his gang. They knew better.
The ringleader looked up and rolled his eyes. “Lex, go home,” he yelled back as her steps brought her closer. “It ain’t got nuttin’ to do with you.”
She ignored him and shoved her way through only to stop and gasp. The form on the ground was a man. “What the hell are you doing?” Instantly, she placed herself over the man and began to check him for injuries, each one she found making her angrier. The Caucasian male was either unconscious or very close to it. Checking for a pulse, she breathed a bit easier when she found it, faint but steady. Her body trembled as she touched him.
“Leave him alone, he shouldn’t be down here. And we found him like this” the oldest boy protested.
Rising to her full height, she glared back at him, totally unintimidated. “What the hell do you think you were doing? The puppy was bad enough but damn it, Jay, this is a man.”
“He was trespassing. We were just looking to see if he were dead. We didn’t beat him up.”
Trespassing? The man on the ground moaned. “I suppose he got these injuries by himself? Get out of here,” she hissed as she knelt back down beside him. “Easy now.” Her voice dropped into her soothing bedside manner voice.
“Alexis?” The voice reached her causing her to panic.
No, it couldn’t be. Not here. Carefully, she rolled the man over so she could see his face. Oh, dear Lord. It was. “Commander?” She asked softly.
“You know him?” Jay asked.
“Get over here, Jay, you and the rest of your friends who seem to think I am not serious. Pick him up and take him to my car.” She stood quickly. “Hang in there, Commander.” Her eyes snapped with impatience. “Now! Damnit, move!”
The five remaining men struggled to carry him to her sport utility vehicle, before they climbed in at her glare and carried him into Alexis’ house. A small three-bedroom rambler. She led the way to her spare room and told them to put him down.
“Where do you know Casper from, Lex?” Jay asked her.
“He is a Commander in the US Navy and a SEAL so if you guys weren’t getting the shit kicked out of you then he has another injury somewhere.” Her eyes took in the man lying there. He still looked so good.
“Alexis?” The slur came again.
“I’m here, Commander. Right here.” Instantly she was beside him, touching his face. “I have to check you out. Can you tell me where you are injured?”
Those eyes opened and settled on her face. A quirky smile tugged at the side of his mouth. “Still so beautiful, I like your hair down. I have a gunshot wound in the side.” He looked around the room at the men. “Is it safe here?”
Jay stepped forward, “We’ll be the ones asking questions, Casper. Where did you get shot at?”
Alexis waved him away, her insides trembling at his words. “You’re fine. You are at my house.”
“Them?”
“They helped bring you here. Close your eyes, Commander,” she ordered as she moved towards her doctor’s bag. “I have to get you stabilized and to a hospital.”
“No!” He grabbed her arm, sending shivers through them both. “No hospital.”
She removed his hand carefully, ignoring his comment, and got her bag. “Quiet. Conserve your energy.” He had fallen unconscious.
“You gonna call the police, Lex?” Jay asked as he watched her skillfully remove his shirt to expose the gunshot wound. It sat about an inch lower than the scar made from when she had sewn him up on the Endeavor the last time they met.
“You better pray I don’t. You boys would be in serious trouble, attacking a man just because. Don’t tell me you are trying to join that damn gang.”
Jay turned away from the man’s scarred body. There were dark bruises forming from where he and his boys had kicked him. “I swear we didn’t shoot him, Lex.”
“Quiet, Jay, let me concentrate.” There was silence in the room as her now-clean fingers probed into the wound, until she stuck in some clamps and pulled out the bullet. Correction, bullets. There were two inside his flesh. Holding the second one up, she frowned, “Hmmm. It’s a .38. Interesting.” She dropped it into the metal dish, the loud clang grabbing the attention of the boys who were in the room.
Her arresting gaze took in each and every one of the young men in her room. “Think about the choices you make, 'cause I don’t want to be doing this to you one day.” Her lean hand reached out and shook the container holding the bullets. “Now, go on, get some sleep.”
“It started to rain, guys…it’s gonna be a wet night.” Jay told his crew.
“Guys,” Lex interrupted. “I meant go crash in the living room. You know you are welcome to stay here. Just make sure you don’t disturb him.” Five young men smiled at her as they went to grab their usual sleeping gear from her hall closet to make up their beds.
*****
The whispering grew louder. He opened his eyes and found two men in the room with him. They were going through the closet. His body tried to react but he felt almost paralyzed.
“He’s awake, go get Lex,” one of the guys said. The other one disappeared out the door. Dark, distrustful eyes fell onto the man lying on the bed.
Scott didn’t move, just stared back. Movement at the door caught his attention. It was Alexis. She wore a cream-colored short-sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans that should have been declared illegal, they fit her so tight. Even hurt and feeling like this his body reacted to her.
“Morning, Commander, I see you made it through the night.” Her eyes flashed with humor.
“You didn’t take me to a hospital,” he stated the obvious.
“Nope, you didn’t want me to and so, against my better judgment…I treated you here.” She moved to the bed and the deep breath he took was filled with her scent. Her hands were professional and steady as she checked the wound. “Gonna tell me how you got this, Commander?”
“Thank you,” he murmured as his hand reached for hers. She froze at his touch.
Dear God, how can he turn me into such a quivering mass of Jell-o with something as simple as a touch? “For what?”
“Finding me.”
It was as if there were no one else in the room with them, the tension grew so thick. “About that wound, Commander,” she insisted removing her hand from his. Her gaze was direct.
“We aren’t on the ship, Alexis; you can call me Scott,” he said.
“I’m afraid that doesn’t change who we are or protocol, Sir.”
With an energy he didn’t know he had, Scott sat up in the bed, oblivious to the fact that he had no shirt on. His face got right into Alexis’. “That is where you are wrong. It changes everything.” He dropped his voice even more, “Not that it would matter. I’m a SEAL, Alexis, and I do things my way.” And I want you, regulations be damned.
God, if it were only that simple. “Well, I’m not a SEAL, I’m a doctor and it would affect my career.” Her words were level and direct.
Nose to nose, they faced off, neither backing down. “Do you really think I would do something to hurt your career?” His hand cupped the side of her face. “I feel how you react to my touch Alexis, and my body reacts the same way to you.”
She swallowed hard. His touch was sinful. “I don’t know you, except that you are an officer…a superior officer…and it is against regulations to have that kind of relationship with you.”
He clucked his disapproval. “We aren’t serving in the same place. We are both consenting adults and therefore there is no coercion on either part.”
“What makes you think that?” She barely breathed the question.
“I have known that since the first day we met.” His fingers moved again, sending those impulses back down her body. “And each time after that. It was only a matter of time.” His voice just as low as hers, so although they were observed by the group of young men, their conversation was unheard.
“You seem mighty sure of yourself, Commander.” She wasn’t about to give in and call him by his first name. That would be admitting he was right. And she was firmly aware of his naked chest.
He nodded slightly. “I am. Just like I know you are dying to say my name, to hear it rolling off your tongue, just like I am. I am very arrogant. I know that and so do you, but you love it.” His thumb moved over her lower lip. “You loved how I kissed you standing at the fantail on the Endeavor.”
Like I needed that reminder, she thought ruefully. She whimpered, helpless to move out of his touch. Her entire body ached to be touched by his callused fingers.
“Don’t worry. I will wait to hear you scream my name. That will be as I am sliding my thick, hard length deep inside your body.” As potent as liqueur, his voice poured over her. “Alexis, when we make love it will be like nothing either of us has ever experienced. I can’t wait much longer.” He dropped his hand as he slumped back on the bed, exhausted. His eyes twinkled as he licked his firm lips, “Nice to know you want me.” That blue gaze fell to her chest and she knew he could see her hardened nipples through the shirt.
A loud pounding on her screen door jolted her attention back to earth, where making love to him was once again just an erotic fantasy, not almost a reality. “Excuse me, Commander.” She rose off the bed and walked past the boys who were standing there, watching the whole interaction avidly.
“You can run, my little healer, but be forewarned: there is no place for you to hide.” His words followed her out of the room and up the hall to where she looked out the door and found the police.

“Can I help you, Officers?” she asked, taking in the two who stood there on the other side of her screen door.
“We are looking for a man who was last seen in this area,” the larger of the two cops said.
“Sorry, Officer, you are going to need to be a bit more specific than that. There are a lot of men around here.”
His eyes narrowed at her quick retort, but he continued. “He may be injured.”
Years of keeping a bland expression on her face came in handy now as she merely said, “And?”
“Can we come in?” the other cop asked.
She shrugged and opened the door, inviting them in. “Can you give me a bit more information about this person you are looking for?”
“Well, he is reported to be tall, muscular, blond…” the officer trailed off as something caught his eye. Alexis followed his gaze and prayed for strength as she saw Scott enter the room chatting with the other boys like he belonged there. “And you are?” the officer asked, taking in the out-of-place white man in the house.
Alexis watched as his broad-shouldered body filled her living room. He wore his shirt which she had washed and had sewn up the tear in last night so it was hidden from the officers’ view. His body looked poured into his jeans and tennis shoes were on his feet. In no way did he look like the man from whom she had removed two bullets last night. His blue eyes immediately moved to her as if assessing that she was okay. Touched by his concern, she nodded slightly.

Unedited first chapter of Harrier's Healer

2008-04-28T05:55:00.002+03:00

I know it isn't Monday yet, but my day tomorrow is hectic and I didn't want to forget to post. Happy Monday, y'all:

CHAPTER ONE

Somewhere in the western Pacific…
“HMC Rogets, report to the bridge. HMC Rogets, report to the bridge!”
Shit, I just got off a ten-hour shift. What now? The head turned to hear the loud squawk coming over the speaker as the baseball cap hid the narrowing of eyes that looked like tiger’s eyes, the semiprecious stones prized by some as jewels. Her shoulders rose and fell with the realization she had no choice; it wasn’t her imagination or a voice in her head that she had been hearing. “See you later,” the curvaceous woman promised the group of people she stood amongst. They nodded and waved as she left to navigate the narrow stairwells and passageways.
“HMC Rogets reporting as ordered, Sir.” The alto voice intruded into the noisy bustle of the bridge.
Commander Touchette waved the woman waiting to be acknowledged forward. She was one of his favorite chiefs and he hated to lose her, even for this short time. He felt good having her expertise on board. They were lucky to get her for she could have easily chosen the carrier, but she wanted the destroyer. Touchette was the commanding officer of the USS Everett DDG, a guided missile destroyer.
His hand waved her closer yet as he read over the missive in front of him. Looking up, he found her direct gaze resting on him, patiently waiting for him to speak. Her eyes were clear and sharp and he wasn’t able to tell she was just off of a long day.
“Chief Rogets,” he said as she stopped and stood straight in front of him.
“Sir,” she replied waiting.
“I hate to do this to you considering you just got done in medical for the day, but the carrier has sent out a request for another doc. Since you know some of the men they are bringing in a little already, they want you.” His blue eyes never left her darker, exotic ones.
The carrier. Chief Petty Officer Alexis Rogets had recently been assigned to this DESRON, destroyer squadron, and as she requested this destroyer, she had apparently anticipated that she would fit in well. The ‘small boy’ was much different than when she had served on an aircraft carrier, or floating city, as she called it. But she was a doctor and would go wherever needed. “When do I go, Sir?”
“Now.” He waited for a look of surprise or anything suggesting shock. He was once again disappointed. Nothing seemed to rile her, which was why the crew loved her. She was level-headed and polite with a hint of prankster when she felt she knew you well enough. She got along well with both officers and enlisted personnel.
Chief Rogets was unique. Generally, any full-fledged doctor would be an officer, but not her. She was finishing her schooling while enlisted and managed to graduate from Harvard as a doctor and a non-commissioned officer. Many believed that was one reason she was easy to get along with on both sides. She was almost like a liaison between the two if needed. An exception to the rule and one she was happy with.

Alexis Rogets maintained her emotionless facade. Now. Her stuff was stowed away so it would take very little for someone to send it to her. She was upset and a bit disappointed for she preferred being on the smaller vessel. “Very well, Sir.”
“Does anything surprise you, Rogets?” The CO asked with a grin.
“It’s not good for me to get surprised,” came her twinkling response. “Especially in my line of work.”
“I have yet to see anything faze you. Stay over there until things have calmed down a bit, and then give us a yell. We’ll send a helo over for you.” He smiled. “Don’t want them thinking they’re going to be allowed to keep the best doc in the Navy. Now go on. Dismissed.”

USS Endeavor CVN
Snapping out a salute to the petty officer who met her on the flight deck, Alexis made her way swiftly down to sickbay. Here not even five minutes and I miss the destroyer, she mused. Pushing open the door to the ship’s medical room she was not sure what to expect.
Corpsmen were running all around and the place seemed chaotic to the untrained eye, but to her it was business like usual. Searching for the nearest khaki uniform, Alexis went up to its wearer and reported in. “Glad to have you aboard, Chief. I hear nothing but good things about you. Heard about you when I was stationed out in Norfolk,” the tall ensign said.
“What’s going on here, Sir?” She waved one dark hand to encompass the room in her question. “Who are the injured?”
Before he could respond, the most sinful voice in God’s creation reached her, easily cutting through the surrounding noise. “Chief Rogets, glad to know you will be taking care of me.” There was a slight hesitation that she could have imagined before the words came again. “And my men.”
Well, Commander Touchette would be pleased to know that there is something to faze me. She took a deep breath and turned to face the man that belonged to that voice. Commander Scott Leighton. Well, Lieutenant Commander Harrington Prescott Broderick Leighton III, if she were to be specific. A name which she only knew from having seen his records. Yeah, right.
For a mere moment Alexis was speechless. In front of her stood her very own secret and undisclosed erotic dream. All her fantasies about men ended up with her and this man in some amazing sexual act.
All six feet five inches of tanned body stood there covered with rippling muscles. Eyes that were cornflower blue and belonged in the bedroom only topped off his god-like body. Everything about his physique and presence screamed virile, sensual and downright mouthwatering. All he would have to do is crook his finger and I would follow him anywhere.
She noticed his blond hair looked like it could use a wash. Not even the black paint streaked on his face could take away from his magnetic pull on her. And it had been like that since the day they met. Can’t think about that now, Lex, need to acknowledge him before he gets suspicious, she admonished herself with a mental shake to bring her back to business at hand.
“Commander Leighton,” she said. “I will go see what I can do to help your men.” She cast a questioning glance at the ensign, who pointed her to the area she would be using. She hurried off without responding to either officer, knowing she could get away with it because of the rush to get attention to the men.
Pushing back the curtain, she reached for a pair of medium surgical gloves. Alexis turned back to get her first patient and froze. Commander Leighton stood before her. “What do you need, Commander? I am just about to go grab one of your men.”
Like hell you are. A sexy half smile crossed his face. “I’m the only one from my team left who needs attention. The rest of the men here are the ones we rescued. So I’m all yours…” Again that almost indiscernible hesitation. “…Chief.”
If that were only so. “Sit down.” She was all business. “What happened?”
“I got a few scrapes, nothing too serious.” His blue eyes burned a hole into her as he spoke.
“Uh-huh,” she muttered as she moved towards him. What was nothing serious in the SEAL way of thinking was way different than what it might mean to her as a doctor.

Lieutenant Commander Scott “Harrier” Leighton felt the familiar butterflies reemerge in his belly. Strangely enough, the fluttering only happened when this woman was around. He didn’t understand it, he towered over her and outweighed her by almost one hundred pounds, yet here he sat, nervous as a child on their first day of school. His blue eyes roved over her as she approached.
She wore her dark hair secured tightly off her face and hidden way under a cap marked, USS Everett DDG. He loved it when her hair was down; it was thick and fell gently around her face and shoulders. Or it had the last time he had seen it down. She looked so feminine that way, not that she didn’t now, for she was hot in anything but she looked gentle with her hair free.
Her face was, to him, perfect. Thick eyelashes framed her exotic-looking tiger eye gaze. Scott reflected on the cute nose and those succulent full lips that he had wanted to kiss the very first time he saw her. This was the eighth time they had met and that desire was still just as strong today as it was the first day. Scott knew it was only a matter of time before he gave into that yearning.
She was five-seven and had all the right curves in just the right places. Her breasts were full and her hips made him imagine nothing except his hands holding them as he drove into her body as deep as he could go. Over and over, all night long. Her ass made his mouth go dry; it was flawless.
She was the total package. Beautiful, smart, energetic, strong and very sexy. Topping it off, her body looked as if it had been covered by rich toffee. I would sell my soul for one night with this ebony goddess, he ruminated.
Scott knew all about her because he had pulled up her file and read up on her. He knew where she considered her permanent address to be and how many family members she had. He knew where she was born and all this wasn’t enough. Everything he knew was technical; he wanted to know this woman.
He blinked as he realized she was staring at him, waiting for a response. “I’m sorry, what?” I sound like a moron, he thought ruefully.
“I said you need to take off your shirt. There is a deep tear and I want to evaluate whether or not you require stitches,” she informed him in a crisp and professional voice.
His eyes blazed with a heat that could have burned a hole right into the hull of the ship. “Sure, just a sec.” He began to remove his shirt and couldn’t stop the hiss of pain that slipped out from between his teeth.
Her fingers were there, brushing his out of the way as she searched. “Hang on, let me look.” A couple of noncommittal murmurs left her mouth and went straight into his ears, traveling quickly to his groin. “This needs stitches.” She turned her head and found their faces were inches apart.
The busy room seemed to fade away into silence as their twin gazes bore into each other. Alexis found herself first and shook her head free of the cobwebs that this man put there. “Take it off,” she ordered in a brisk tone.
One eyebrow, covered with paint, arched as he said, “What?”
“Your shirt. Take it off and I will clean the wound and get someone to stitch you up,” she elaborated insistently.
Oh, hell no, I am not about to let you weasel your way out of looking at or touching my body. “I want you,” that damn hesitation again, “to do it.”
I want you too, her mind screamed in return. “Why me? There are plenty of corpsmen who can stitch a wound just fine. There are other people in here hurt worse than you.”
“I remember how well you took care of Cade on the carrier in the Caribbean.” His voice was such a turn-on to listen to.
Alexis remembered. They had taken them on board after recovering them from the mountains of Belize. Her previous duty had been on that aircraft carrier. Now she was in a different ocean and still facing the man that made her tremble. “Very well,” she said reluctantly. She was only reluctant because she didn’t know how she would respond to touching him; this was why she had planned on having someone else do it.
“You’re not scared of touching me are you, Alexis?” his deep tone purred.
Her eyes flew open wide at his use of her first name; he had never done that before. It was as if her name was made to roll off his tongue. While there had always been an attraction between them, he had never before said anything like this. It was such a breach of protocol. He would be in so much trouble if she were to report it. “Why would I be scared? Did you pick something up that I might catch?” she sassed him back, as she helped him remove his shirt. Seconds later she tried to remain not at all impressed by the massive chest exposed to her gaze.
I can’t believe those words came out of my mouth. At least she is joking about it. “I have never picked anything up. Ever.”
Alexis knew what he was saying. He was clear of any and all sexually transmitted diseases. If only he weren’t a superior officer. “I’m sure your wife or girlfriend is very pleased to know that,” Alexis ventured primly.
He grimaced slightly as she applied the sterilizer to the gash. “You know I don’t have a wife.”
She didn’t even look at him. “I don’t know anything about you, Commander,” she said, reminding them of the protocol.
“Don’t lie to me or yourself.” His words were soft and they caressed her body.
“Don’t move. And keep your arm where it is,” she said as she threaded a needle. “Are you sure you don’t want a local?”
“I’m sure. Just keep talking to me and I will be fine.” You could amputate my left leg if you talked to me through it. I just want to hear your seductive voice.
“You’re the boss,” she muttered.
I will be soon. “Tell me about yourself then, so I can get to know you,” he ordered as she slid the needle into his flesh.
“What has you so interested in my life, Sc…Commander?” Her eyes were narrowed with concentration as she made tiny, even stitches in his side. Trying hard to ignore the wide expanse of muscles and the smell of pure man that was in front of her. Trying and failing.
He heard her slip and smiled as he looked at the top of her head. “The same thing that has you interested in mine,” he whispered, falling silent as another person walked into the small area.
“Chief Rogets,” the corpsmen said. “We need your help with one of the other men.”
“Is it an emergency, Corpsman?” she asked, not taking her eyes off her work.
“No, Ma’am, just as soon as you can.” He looked at the bare-chested man that sat on the bed while the woman sewed up his side. “Sir, Ma’am.” Then he was gone.
Finishing swiftly, she tied off the last suture and cut it. Pushing away on her wheeled stool, Alexis rolled to the sink, removed the gloves from her hands, and began to wash them as she talked to the man sitting behind her. “There you go, Commander. Take it easy and you should be fine in a couple of weeks.” Not that your ass ain’t fine now. Alexis reached for the towel and found him holding it out to her. He moves so fast and silently.
“Thanks for taking such good care of me,” he murmured. His hand moved almost as if he were going to touch her until a yell from across the room got her attention.
“Lex! He’s crashing.” Another chief and friend yelled for her. With barely a glance at the handsome SEAL, Alexis ‘Lex’ Rogets was dashing over to the table to lend her expertise.
Picking up his discarded and possibly ruined shirt along with his pack, Scott gazed across the room and watched in amazement as she worked diligently on the man. Even when blood sprayed up at her she seemed unfazed. She was a damn good doctor, sexy as hell and someday soon, his. With one final look, he left medical to hit the showers and check on the rest of his men.
Alexis knew the moment he left. Somehow the room just felt emptier. Her hands deep in the chest they just cracked open she wondered what twist of fate would bring them together next. That thought was brief and fleeting because her mind focused back on the task before her. And although she was tired, she knew it wouldn’t be an issue as her mind was still sharp. Residency hours had been way worse than this.

Peeling off the blood-covered gloves and tossing them in the trash receptacle, Alexis rolled her head around trying to loosen up her neck muscles. Hands washed, she put on some lotion trying to preemptively ease the dryness. They were done. All the men were stabilized.
“Great job, Lex,” a masculine voice said from behind her.
A smile formed as she answered, “Thanks, Tom. You, too.” She turned and walked with him towards the door. A few corpsmen were cleaning up bloody gauze and washing down tables. But the room was silent now. “It was good to work with you again. I didn’t know you were out here.” Tom had served with her before on the carrier in Norfolk.
He flashed her a grin, his white teeth standing out vividly against his dark skin. “Wanna get some chow?”
“Thanks but no thanks, Tom. I had just pulled a ten-hour stint on the Everett before they sent me here. I need to unwind, but it’s nice to know you’re nearby.” She patted him on the arm.
“We will have to do something in port together. Grab a meal or something.”
Lex nodded. “Great, you know how to reach me. I’ll see ya around. By the way,” she tossed over her shoulder as she walked off, “congrats on being frocked.” He sent her back another sparkling grin as she moved away from him.

Shutting the hatch behind her Alexis sighed. I’ll just give it a few minutes before I call Touchette for the helo. Her gaze took in the sun as it began its evening descent. She loved it out here. This was one of her favorite spots, the fantail. There weren’t many places on an aircraft carrier where one could feel alone, but this was one of them.
“Too bad I won’t be here to watch the sunset,” she said to the rushing wind.
“Why not?” a sexy baritone voice asked from behind her.
She jumped, hand pressed to her chest, unwittingly drawing his gaze there. “Jesú, you scared me.” As her dark eyes landed on the man who stood there she fought for sanity. “Excuse me, Sir. Hello, Commander.”
His striking eyes glanced around making sure they were alone out there. Finding the answer to be to his satisfaction, he settled those beautiful blue eyes back on her body, setting it to burn, a heat that rivaled the late afternoon sun. “Come on now, Alexis,” his hard body moved closer to her. “How long are we going to do this?”
Dear God, this man’s voice is potent. “Do what, Commander?”
He took a deep breath and leaned on the rail beside her, almost but not quite touching her. “Why aren’t you going to be around for the sunset?” He didn’t want to push her into anything. He wanted to push into her.
“I’m going back to the Everett. I just came out here to relax for a bit.” Her body turned around and leaned on the rail like he did. “How are you feeling?”
“Good, you did a wonderful job.” I don’t want you to go back to the Everett, I want you to go to my bed and stay there forever. “How long are we going to keep this up?” Leighton questioned her.
I bet you can keep it up for a long, long time. “I don’t know.”
“Do you remember the day we first met?” he asked, not admiring anything but her dark beauty beside him. Hell, even on the fantail of an aircraft carrier she smelled like she just took a shower.
“Yes. It was in Norfolk,” she said.
“I almost ran you over and you…well, you wanted to say something a lot worse than you did.”
She chuckled, a low seductive sound that stirred up his groin even more. “I remember. And you’re right; I definitely wanted to say something else.”
“You are—”
“Well, it’s been a pleasure Commander, but I have to go. Take care of yourself out there.” Alexis stepped away from the rail and took a few steps toward the door, not wanting or ready to hear what he was going to say.
“It will be a pleasure,” he purred in her ear.
She froze. There were two choices here, file a complaint and get him in trouble or flirt back. Girl, like there was any choice. “What will?”
His hand touched her back, leading her towards the hatch. Unless she opened the thick door, there was nowhere to go except into him if she turned around. “Us.”
She turned. “Commander, what exactly are you talking about?” Her eyes were direct and he liked that about her.
“You know what I’m talking about.” His words were smooth.
And she did. But for the life of her she didn’t want to admit it. “No, I don’t. I have to get going.” She paused with one hand on the handle. “Goodbye, Commander.”
His body clenched. He couldn’t be angry; she was doing the right thing. He was the one breaking protocol. Scott could be sent for a Captain’s Mass and she could get in trouble as well. Suddenly he didn’t give a damn. The seven previous times he had been in her presence, he had not done what he longed so much to do, so now he had to taste her. Two seconds later, he hauled her up against the solid wall of his chest and his lips were on hers.
His tongue slid around her full mouth before plunging into hers, not asking. Oh, no, he was demanding her acceptance. Her taste was amazing; he couldn’t get enough. Every small sample he got increased his desire for more one hundredfold.

Alexis had no idea what was happening to her body. This kiss was nothing like it was in her dreams. She moaned into his mouth as she sucked harder on his invading tongue. Heaven. That was what this felt like.
Suddenly the handle for the hatch began to move. They sprang apart and were leaning on the railing staring out at the ocean by the time the intruder made it through the opening. Two ensigns looked at the commander and nodded before leaving. It was obvious what they were up to. Nothing too different from what Commander Leighton had planned for the lovely Chief Rogets.
Close on their heels was Alexis, who was stopped by that deep tone. “We aren’t done, Alexis.”
Refusing to turn and let him see how much those words affected her, she swallowed and said, “Take care of yourself, Commander.” Then she was gone, leaving him alone. He stayed there even as he watched the helicopter that carried her further away from him against the bright sky.

Kincade's Rose--chapter 3--unedited

2008-04-21T14:36:00.001+03:00

Happy Monday, Y'all:

CHAPTER THREE

Tyson left her room and headed back to his own hotel. He had always prided himself on being cool, calm, and collected. Five seconds around Ms. Jayde Porter and he was ready to act like a randy school boy.
He took a shower but when he came out of the steaming bathroom wearing nothing except his boxers he found there was company in his room. The two men he had seen in the restaurant and two more he didn’t recognize except from surveillance photos his counterterrorism team had taken. They had him at a disadvantage for three of them were holding guns on him.
“What do you want?” Tyson asked as he carefully moved to where his clothes were laid out.
“Why are you here?” The one without the gun asked.
“Vacation,” he said easily.
“Don’t lie. Go on, get dressed.”
“What do you want?” Tyson tried again.
“Answers. And we will get them. Get dressed.”
Torture. Came to his mind. Slowly he put on his jeans and clean black tee shirt. He sat down on a chair to put on his boots. Damn, he had really stepped into it this time. No SEAL Team Seventeen a.k.a ‘The Megalodon Team’ for backup. No counterterrorism team for support. He was on his own. Or was he?
The image of a sweet sexy woman named Jayde Porter came to his mind along with the words the witch doctor he had met once in a remote village in Africa. The old man had given him a pair of rings—rings Tyson still had no idea where or how he had acquired them for they were solid titanium. The old man had also said, ‘Keep them with you and the woman you are meant to be with will find you. The rings will save you and bind the two of you together for all eternity.’ Tyson knew it was just an old prophecy but still, the idea had potential, especially combined with the vision of Jayde Porter.
Tyson had already been with Carrie so he didn’t even show them to her since he had found her prior to receiving the rings. He kept them on a chain that he wore around his neck. The one time Carrie had asked about them he shrugged it off telling her they were just silver bands. A SEAL thing, an explanation that she bought.
“Let’s go.” The gunmen gestured for him to precede them out of the room and down the hall. “No tricks.”
Tyson wouldn’t risk innocent people’s lives so he walked easily as not to give them a reason to get jumpy. They shoved him, none to gently in the back of a Mercedes with darkened windows and drove.
After a while the car pulled into a police station. Roughly his captors dragged him down a hall and some stairs to slam him into a wall before they shoved him into an interrogation room. At least that is what he believed it to be. Then all of them left him alone for two hours, with nothing to do but sit uncomfortably chained and sweat in the hot box. He knew there was a cut on his head from hitting the wall for he could feel the blood.
When the door finally opened in walked the man who hadn’t had a gun on him in his hotel room. The man had small black eyes, yellowed teeth and a pock-marked face. “What are you doing here?”
Tyson barely blinked. “I told you already. I’m on vacation.”
“Why do you insist on lying to us? Do you know what jails are like here?”
“I’ve done nothing wrong.” Not yet anyway. And he did know what the jails were like here.
“We know who you are.”
“Good, then you know I am here on vacation.”
The man swore and walked out. Tyson swallowed slowly. It was obvious that they wanted him to break from the thought of possibly going to a foreign prison. It was also obvious that the pock-faced man wanted to hit him.
After the man left he heard a motor start and knew that they turned on the heat even higher. He had survived worse than this. He didn’t think they would resort to actual torture for a while at least; it seemed they wanted him to give in.
Another hour passed until that ugly man came back in. “Do you really want to continue this? Just tell us what we want to know.”
“I am here on vacation,” the SEAL insisted.
The man slapped his hands down on the lone desk in the room. “No one with your history comes here alone.”
“I never said I was alone,” Tyson paused hoping he wasn’t about to get her in trouble, but for now she seemed to be his only chance out of this. “I just said I was here on vacation.” He didn’t even acknowledge what they said about his history.
For the first time the man looked panicked. As if maybe he had the wrong guy. But then he recovered. “Who are you here with?”
“My wife,” Tyson said.
“Our records don’t show you having a wife.”
“How is that my fault?” His gaze held the other man’s without fear.
“Who is she?” the man demanded.
“How do I know you won’t hurt her?” Tyson asked. Just so you know I will kill you if you harm one hair on her head. He had to forcibly relax his body so he didn’t give himself away.
“We won’t. Tell us who she is.”
“I will go with you to see her. But I won’t send you alone.” Tyson wasn’t that stupid.
“Deal. Then when she says she isn’t your wife, you go to prison.” The man was positively gleeful.
Tyson nodded as they took him back outside where his hot body eagerly absorbed the cool rain that still fell. They put him back in the vehicle and headed to the hotel where Jayde was staying. Tyson hoped he was right to put his faith in her.
Four men got out of the car and headed for the elevator, Tyson and three others. On the fifth floor he got out and led the way to door 5627 where one of the men knocked, keeping Tyson away from the opening. An action that Tyson hoped wouldn’t be a mistake.
*****
Jayde had just gotten out of the shower. The clock read five till one. She was exhausted, wanting just to climb into bed but her mind wouldn’t slow down. As she wandered around the suite in the thick robe provided by the hotel she heard a knock on her door. She froze with fear then her body flushed hot as she realized it could be Tyson.
The knock came again. “Who is it?” she asked as she walked closer.
“Policía,” a grating voice said.
Police? Her black brows furrowed in thought. “Just a second.” She opened the door a crack, the chain still latched. “Is something wrong, sir?”
“Sí. Can you open the door please?”
“Do you have some identification?” Jayde waited until he showed her a badge. “What is this about?”
“Please,” he said. “Open the door. It is about your husband.”
My husband? “Just a second.” She shut the door, took a deep breath, removed the chain and swung the door open to admit three strangers and Tyson.
Tyson looked exhausted. He still looked wonderful, but he looked exhausted. Then she noticed the blood that they had tried to wipe away. Her dark eyes narrowed, “What is going on here, officer?”
“It’s Captain, Captain Alvarez.”
“Fine,” she snapped. “What’s going on, Captain?”
“Hey, honey,” Tyson interjected.
Jayde gave him a small tense smile as she gripped her robe tighter about her body to try and conceal the trembling. “Captain?”
“This man,” he pointed to Tyson, “claims that you are married. We believe he is a spy. Do you have anything to say? And please, don’t worry we can protect you.”
Jayde couldn’t help it, she choked. “A spy?” she stuttered.
“Yes,” the captain said.
“Can I ask why or how you came to that conclusion?” Her eyes narrowed as she witnessed the look of sick perversion on his face.
“His history.”
Jayde looked at Tyson, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her since he had been shoved into the room. In his eyes she read the same thing she had seen earlier, ‘I will protect you.’ So she did the only thing she knew she could do. Lie. “He is telling the truth. He is my husband.” She was proud that her words were delivered in a clear strong voice.
The captain narrowed his eyes at her declaration. “Please, we can protect you. Tell the truth.”
“I am. This man is my husband.” Jayde walked over to stand next to Tyson placing her smaller body in front of his as if to protect him.
“Forgive me but why then are you in separate hotels?” He seemed smug.
Jayde didn’t miss a beat. “Well that’s easy. We are recreating our first meeting. It was so romantic.” She sighed, a dreamy sigh before continuing. “I was sitting at a table along the beach and then right there before my eyes he stood. I got up to leave and ran right into him. I guess you could say it was love at first sight. I mean it wasn’t here, but I like to travel. It’s just a little harmless role-playing. We check into hotels under separate names, I use my maiden name, and then we meet all over again. Keeps the spark alive.”
Tyson was amazed. Not knowing what to expect he hadn’t begun to hope for this kind of help from her. Despite the seriousness of the whole situation he found himself smiling at her gumption.
The captain scowled even more. “Then why didn’t he just say that three and a half hours ago?” he ground out in his grating voice.
Tyson could feel her body tense even if he couldn’t see her eyes. The captain could and for the second time that night he felt uneasy, had his intel been that wrong? “I’m sorry,” she drawled. “Are you saying y’all have had him in your custody for over three hours? Did you arrest him? Did you read him his rights?” Not even waiting for the man to answer she launched into a tirade.
“So you violated his rights. Do you know how much trouble you are in? You don’t get to do that to an American on a hunch. Much less without letting him call his lawyer.” Jayde even took a step toward him.
“And I suppose that is you?” The captain asked.
“No, my father has his own law firm. He would be the one to deal with international law. He is very good at his job. And don’t think I didn’t notice the blood on his head, if y’all injured him…” she warned.
The captain blanched. “I am still not sure all is as you say it is.”
“And.” She tossed at him, her curvaceous body trembling with anger at their treatment of the man behind her.
“We will leave you alone, after one thing.” The one thing the captain didn’t want was snooping lawyers. Nosy Americans were not good for business, his bosses wouldn’t like that.
“That would be?” Tyson asked.
“You renew your vows here.” The challenge was extended. “With one of our priests and then just sign another certificate and we will leave you alone.” Captain Alvarez expected the young American woman to refuse to get married. All they knew about the American male was he worked alone, so if he really was married this was all a big mistake.
“You want us to renew our vows?” Jayde questioned. Her heart in her throat. What did she get herself into? And was it really fear that had her heart beating so fast or the fact that she could pretend that the hunk of a man behind was her husband?
“Of course, it will just be a little thing.” With a wave he sent one of the men off. “I think it will just ease my mind a bit.” He smiled evilly. “Consider it our way of saying we are sorry for the misunderstanding.”
“Sure. When?” Jayde said.
“Now.” The captain said not liking how easily she agreed.
Jayde inhaled sharply, a sound that Tyson heard. He touched her back in silent support. “Honey, we don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” He offered giving her a chance to back out, knowing full well that the certificate would be proof they were honestly married. “I know renewing our vows under these conditions was not what you had in mind.”
That’s putting it mildly. With a gentle smile she turned to face the man she had known for less than twenty-four hours. “What difference does it make what the situation is. We are just renewing what has already been said.”
“Good,” the captain exclaimed. “The priest will be here momentarily.”
“Just a minute!” Jayde screeched. “I am not; I repeat not doing this in my robe. So you have to leave so I can change.” At his hesitation she glared at them.
The captain took Tyson with “so you can’t make plans.” As he was shutting the door Jayde yelled, “Flowers! I want flowers also.”

Twenty minutes later, Jayde stood next to Tyson in front of a Catholic priest reciting her vows, holding a bouquet of mixed flowers the captain had brought for her. Tyson looked down at the woman who had just saved his bacon. She wore a knee length fuchsia skirt and black silk blouse, no shoes and her hair was still damp around her shoulders. Her brown skin was makeup free and he smelled the faint scent of baby powder. She had removed her earrings but the necklace was still in place. He heard her muttering under her breath the word ‘rose’.
The priest asked for her full name and the captain interrupted saying he wanted to hear it from the groom. So Tyson answered. “Jayde Rose Porter.” And got a huge smile from the woman he stood up with. Oh she was good. The captain was looking on her identification card and frowned as he saw Tyson was correct.
When it was Jayde’s turn to supply his name, Tyson panicked. How would she possibly know his name? But without missing a beat she said, “Tyson Randolph Kincade.”
Too soon it was time for the rings. Tyson produced two from his pocket. Simple bands made of titanium. He slid the ring over her ring finger on her left hand as he said his vows.
“I, Tyson Randolph Kincade, take thee Jayde Rose Porter to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse,” he sent her a wry smile, “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish. Forsaking all others till parted by death. This is my solemn vow to you.” By the time he finished talking the ring was sitting snugly on her finger. The witch doctor’s words rang in his ears again as the ring fit her perfectly.
Jayde repeated the same thing as she slipped the ring on his finger. She noticed she was shaking. So did Tyson and all he did was lace their fingers together and gave her some of his silent strength. Somehow it was enough for she felt herself relaxing.
So while the priest smiled and said they were now husband and wife, Jayde was still in a state of shock until she felt her new husband’s lips on hers. Now she was in heaven, eagerly she leaned into him taking all of what he gave her.
When Tyson pulled away both of them were breathing hard. The priest shoved the certificate at them and took one copy for himself after they signed it. Then everyone else left the newlyweds alone.
The door shut and the room was silent as Jayde and Tyson stared at each other.
Tyson saw the tirade forming on her lips and stopped her with a finger across his mouth and a silent head shake. Warily, she stayed silent, for about five seconds.
“Well honey,” she stated. “Not exactly how I anticipated our vow renewal to go. But I suppose another year, another surprise.” She arched a brow at him, crossed her arms and tapped her bare foot on the floor, bringing his eyes to her lapis blue toenails.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “This isn’t exactly what I had planned either.” He turned on the stereo system to find some romantic music and adjusted the volume to cover their voices. Taking a hold of her arm he steered her gently towards the bed and sat beside her as she turned angry eyes on him.
“Start talking,” she seethed. Her face was flushed with anger, her eyes sparkled and Tyson realized again just how truly beautiful she was. “I would almost think you had this planned, where did you get the rings?”
“Look, I am so sorry about this whole thing. I didn’t mean to get you involved.” He said and at her look of disbelief he continued. “I am currently—or was—working for a counterterrorism unit for our government. Those men are drug runners who supply, buy and sell information to terrorists. When I got injured they put me on leave and I ended up down here. I noticed at dinner two of those guys watching me. After I got back to my hotel room they showed up with those other two men and took me with them. To be questioned.” Tyson watched as she narrowed her eyes in disbelief.
“I know it was wrong of me to bring you into this, but it seemed to be my only option,” he paused. “The rings belong to me. I wish I could tell you more but I can’t. Please trust me. I am not a spy; they didn’t want you to trust me. Just for a little longer, trust me. I am one of the good guys.” He didn’t want to tell her that the rings sealed their fate together, for all eternity—that might just freak her out.
Jayde just shook her head. It was just too unreal for her to stay angry. But she did hear the faint plea in his statement, and she knew he wasn’t a man that asked for assistance much. “Okay Tyson. I will go along with this for a while. For some reason I do trust you, not sure why but I do.” She reached out and touched his arm, ignoring the feel of desire his body on hers gave. “So where does this leave us?”
Tyson released a huge breath that he didn’t realize he had been holding. She was going to go along with him on this. She trusted him, a proud smile grew on his face. “Well, I have to place some calls to some people in the states and then I think I owe you some more explanations.”
She nodded as she stood up. “I think you do.”
“Thank you for trusting me.” His eyes were gentle as they looked upon her dark beauty. Damn, I have never seen a woman like her before in my life. Although a world traveler, he had never known a woman to affect him this way.
“Well,” she said with a forced lightheartedness, “if a wife can’t trust her husband then who can she trust?” Then she turned and walked into the bathroom shutting herself off from him for a bit.

Jayde just needed some time. She changed her clothes quickly as she put on her originally intended clothing from her shower before things went crazy. She put on a pair of men’s pajama bottoms and a cutoff sweatshirt.
She leaned on the marbled bathroom countertop and looked in the mirror at her reflection. Running the cold water she splashed some on her face and used the thick absorbent towel to dry her face off. She continued to stare. What had she done? What was her family going to say? Would she even tell them? Doubtful.
Standing there she noticed something about her reflection that she had never seen before. Her hands still held the towel in front of her face but now she detected something different, the glittering of silver on her left hand. Her wedding ring.
She put down the towel and held her hand up, palm towards her face and looked. The ring shone brilliantly against her dark skin. And it looked like it belonged there.
“Well, my family was always after me to do something. I guess getting married is something. Besides, it won’t hold up once we get back to the states,” she spoke to her reflection. “I could always put it as helping my country.” She smiled and saw that she looked almost happy. She was glowing.

Jayde walked back out into the main part of her suite and found Tyson on the phone. He looked up as she entered and sent her a soft smile along with a gesture she took to mean ‘just a few minutes’. She nodded and took a seat on the chaise lounge in the room, closing her eyes as she listened to the comforting rumble of his deep voice mixed with the seductive music that played in the room and the pounding of the rain on the windows.
Tyson watched as his new wife settled herself on the lounge; she looked so delectable lying there with her eyes closed. He understood that she must be exhausted, nothing like this was ever easy and she was holding herself together admirably.
The voice in his ear had worn into a faint hum so he had to shake his head and fully concentrate on what his boss was saying to him. Even as he talked his eyes never left Jayde, and he knew the exact moment she fell asleep. Her chest rose and fell in a rhythmic pattern, one arm held a pillow at her side with the other arm lying between her breasts.
Finally his calls had been made. He shut the phone and walked over to where she lay slumbering. Pulling up a straight back chair, Tyson sat down beside her body that was dead to the world. “Thank you, thank you my little rose,” he whispered brushing her hair back from her face. “Thank you for trusting me.” For a few moments he stayed beside her watching her sleep.
Then he became restless. There was so much he wanted to do with her and to her, but he had to figure out a way to keep her safe. Those men were dangerous and now she was his responsibility. It was his fault she was possibly in danger. He snorted with disdain as he amended his thought; she was in danger from them now.
He strode to the window and looked out on the town below. The rain still came down in torrential sheets. Maybe he could convince her to go with him to another place, really act like a married couple. He knew for a fact that they would be watched for the remainder of their time here.
Eyes that had hardened with menace at the thought of someone hurting Jayde softened as he turned away to view the woman he had promised to protect. Tyson walked over to her and picked her up, realizing that she felt light in his arms. In fact she felt damn near perfect. She wasn’t a petite woman, she was ideal. And for the time being she was all his.
He placed her reluctantly on the bed and covered her up with a blanket. Tyson gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and groaned as he realized just how much he would love to explore every nook and cranny of her luscious body. “Damn, I must be some kind of saint,” he said as he shook his head in disbelief. He took a blanket over to the lounge so that he could sleep between her and the door. Tyson knew that he was in for a restless night but he didn’t survive sleep deprivation training for nothing. So he cleaned up the remaining traces of blood on his head and went to bed.
*****
Jayde woke up to the sunlight hitting her eyes. She opened them slowly against the glare. Her movements were slow as she organized her body to get moving. “That was one messed up dream,” she said to the room she believed was empty.
A deep voice rang through the room, “I don’t think it was a dream.”
Jayde screamed and bolted up out of bed. Her legs got tangled in the blankets and she pitched backwards towards the corner of the wrought iron nightstand. She found herself in a pair of strong arms that held her immobile just shy of her banging her head and she discovered herself staring into a pair of hazel eyes that seemed remarkably familiar to her.
“Easy there.” He set her on her feet and still had a hold on her shoulders as he asked, “Okay now?”
“Fine. I’m fine,” she said with an undeniably shaky voice. “Thanks for…that.” She gestured over her shoulder. Jayde sat down on the edge of the bed. “It wasn’t a dream was it?”
“No. Are you disappointed?”
“Well, I don’t really know you. But since we aren’t even in America, I don’t think there will be any lasting damage done.” She smiled briefly. “How about breakfast?” Every time she got nervous she ate, which was why she wasn’t pencil thin.
“It’s on its way up. I ordered a bit of everything since I don’t really know what you like.” He couldn’t help but reaching out and stroking the side of her face before walking away from her.
Jayde tried to calm her rapid heartbeat. She didn’t know this man and now she was helping him out of some kind of mess. What kind she didn’t know and apparently wouldn’t have time to ask since there was someone knocking at the door. She stayed by the bed as Tyson answered it admitting room service.
The man that brought in the cart made Jayde feel self-conscious and so she instinctively moved closer to Tyson. She noticed his understanding look as his arm settled protectively around her shoulder, tucking her close to his side. Aware of the man’s gaze on her she laid her head against Tyson and tried to look in love. An attempt that she had pulled off better than she would ever had imagined.
Tyson tipped the man and walked with Jayde still beside him, to the door and shut it behind the hotel employee, leaving them alone again. “Well, I hope you’re hungry,” he said in a light voice.
“Starved.” And she was. Jayde sat down at the table and stared in shock as Tyson began to fix her a plate. No one had ever done that for her before. He pointed and she nodded or shook her head, once it was filled he placed it in front of her and fixed his own.
“So,” he asked later in between bites of scrambled eggs, “what do you want to do today?”
“Go to the jaguar preserve. You remember right, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve? That was going to be today’s venture.” She took a long drink of her juice and waited. She wasn’t about to give up going to the one place she had actually come down here to see and was willing to fight for the chance.
“Whatever my little rose wants, she gets.” He silently toasted her, she was still acting like this whole thing was planned from the moment they arrived in Belize. Then just about choked on his juice at her next statement.
“Well, since the whole jig is up, I suppose you should go and get your things to move in here, since I like my room better,” Jayde said. And I have no idea where your room is.
“I suppose so,” he stared at her but she avoided his gaze. “I will do that right now,” he said almost as a question as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.
Jayde still wouldn’t look at him. “Yes. And I will get ready for our day.” She slid her chair back from the table and walked towards the bathroom, her body quivering more and more with every step she took. The door didn’t get a chance to be closed before his hand was there pushing it back open.
“Jayde,” he said as he forced his way into the bathroom. Although his hands have killed, he was extremely gentle as he turned her towards him and brought her chin up to meet his gaze. Tyson felt his heart break as he saw the lone tear begin the run down her smooth face. “Oh Jayde,” he moaned. “What have I done?” He gathered her into her chest and held her against him.
“I’ll be fine,” she sniffed. “I think I am just a bit overwhelmed. Even if we are just acting for these men, I don’t usually have men in my room.”
Tyson didn’t have the heart or balls to tell her it wasn’t an act. They were truly and legally wed, that was a real document she signed and that man had been a real Catholic priest. “I can keep my room at the other hotel,” he presented the option.
“No, I don’t want them hauling you off to jail. You will stay here.” Jayde pulled back from his chest and looked up at him. “Besides, it might be nice to have a husband while I’m here. That way people will leave me alone.” A few of the hotel staff had been hitting on her and it was getting old, Jayde wasn’t a huge fan of attention.
Damn straight they will. “Glad I won’t be too much of an inconvenience to you.”
All she did was smile softly. “Well, you should get going.” She wiped the last remnants of the tear off her cheek. “I’ll be waiting.”
“I hope so.” Tyson couldn’t stop his next movement anymore than he could stop the blood that flowed through his veins. He cupped her face and lowered his mouth to hers.
At the first touch of his lips her knees nearly buckled. Her hands already around his waist moved up to his neck. One of them moaned as their tongues met and danced.
Tyson’s hands moved lower and back up again this time under her cutoff sweatshirt. The feel of her satin skin beneath his hands made him tighten his hold on her body. Her curves enticed him in ways he had never dreamed.
Jayde trembled. All through her body she trembled. In all her life she had never met a man who made her feel this lustful, this impassioned. She gave herself over to the feelings for once.
Tyson felt the change in her response. It was like she was a different person who was clamoring to get into his skin. A small voice in the back of his mind told him not to do this, not to take advantage of the situation, but that voice was outvoted by the lust coursing through his body.
Her shirt was removed baring her full chest to his gaze. His eyes darkened with warm heat as he licked his lips, “You are a work of art,” he whispered. Tyson’s shirt soon followed and he closed his eyes as her hands touched his bare chest.
“You are so strong,” she breathed as her fingers traced his defined abdominal muscles, all eight of them. There was a puckered scar across the lower part of his ribcage that she touched gently. “Where did you get this?”
“At work.” He reached in and kissed her again effectively silencing her, except for the purr that grew from the back of her throat.
Tyson drew her back against the warmth of his body before scooping her up, his hands under her butt and walking forward until she was sitting on the edge of the sink. He kept her legs spread around his lean hips, allowing her to feel just how much he desired her.
Jayde felt the wetness between her legs as she tightened her grip around his waist. It was a wonderful feeling. Everywhere he touched her she felt a burning. Although she wanted to go through that metaphoric gate she still hesitated.
But it wasn’t meant to be, at least not right now. The sound of a cell phone broke through their impassioned state.
Both of them drew back and looked at each other with smoldering eyes. Tyson winced as he heard the sound again but leaned down and placed a long lingering kiss on her swollen lips.
“This will be continued,” he vowed as he backed slowly out of the room before turning and answering his phone.

Kincade's Rose--chapter 2--unedited

2008-04-14T14:58:00.000+03:00

Happy Monday, y'all:

CHAPTER TWO

At five to six that evening, a handsomely dressed Tyson Kincade was waiting for his dinner date in the lobby of her hotel. He wore a light gray spread collar dress shirt, a dark green tie and a black single-breasted jacket. He also wore a pair of black dress pants, with the creases just so perfect. Military.
Bottom line, the man that Jayde saw as she walked up from the side was mouthwatering gorgeous. He sensed her approach more than anything else. When he turned to look at her he smiled, a smile of male satisfaction.
Jayde wore a dress that shimmered when she walked. It was dark green with metallic purple threads running through it. Form-fitting yet still extremely elegant with a sweetheart neckline it allowed him to see just the tops of her plentiful cleavage. As she walked towards him he saw the tempting flash of skin as her leg peeked through the slit on the left side. She wore modest two inch heels on her feet. Tyson appreciated all of her luscious curves in the dress.
“Damn,” was all he could say when she stopped next to him. Her hair was up in some intricate looking twist except for two pieces that hung down by her ears. She had on only a bit of lip gloss and he was smitten. She wore a gold necklace with a pendant that looked an awful lot like a locking or ‘D’ karabiner on it. Another mystery she had. In her ears she had simple golden rose shaped earrings.
“Good evening Tyson Kincade. You look very handsome this evening.” Her voice was melodious to his ears.
“You are stunning and beautiful.” He kissed her hand, silently applauding his control to not take her right here on the floor of the hotel lobby.
She blushed. “Thank you.” A smile crossed her face as she looked around, “Ready to eat?”
“Oh yeah.” The flames in his eyes didn’t exactly spell out food he craved, more like her.
They walked up arm in arm to the maître d'. As the tuxedo dressed man was escorting them to their table she nudged him. Tyson’s hazel eyes looked away from the dance floor they passed and down to her as he said, “What is it my little rose?” Dear God, don’t let her have changed her mind.
“Jayde.” Was all she said.
After they had been seated he said, “Jayde? What does that mean?”
“It’s my name.” She took a sip of water to wet her parched throat. “Jayde Porter.”
Tyson nodded. “I like it, it fits you.”
“It’s a freebie. Just because you look so handsome,” she said with a small smile.
“Meaning you don’t want a kiss for it,” he teased her and loved how she blushed. But he took pity on her and changed the subject. “What do you do?”
Jayde sighed. Leaning forward she put her chin on her crossed hands showing the very empty ring finger off to Tyson. “I am currently working at a customer service job. Not exactly my career choice but I needed more money.”
I needed more money, that phrase set off warning bells in Tyson’s head. Carrie had needed more money. How could his perfect woman be like his ex? Was it possible? He just nodded and silently encouraged her to continue. She did.
“I was there…listen to me like you know where there is, New York…I was there in New York to take care of a terminally ill cousin. I guess I never realized just how expensive New York really was so I had to get the other job to supplement all her medications and stuff. She couldn’t afford it on her own, especially since I was living there and her utilities went up. She passed away two months ago and I have just sort of stayed there. Working at the same horrible job. But, until I figure out how I am going to get wherever I think I want to go, this will have to do. I guess I was just long overdue for a vacation. So here I am.” She blinked and smiled softly before it brightened and she said, “What about you?”
Tyson was shocked. Could she be for real? A woman who didn’t really feel that money was everything, and live for spas? “I am on medical leave from my job right now. Well my second job, I was temporarily reassigned from my first job and then I got injured on my second one, so now they are determining whether or not I will be able to return to my original position. Or the second one.” He put his hazel eyes on hers waiting for her to ask more questions.
“I am sorry to hear that. Did you prefer the original position?” Jayde wondered.
A wicked glint entered his gaze. “I prefer all positions, the original just as much as others.”
Jayde bit her tongue to keep from groaning out loud at the trembling that had set up shop in her stomach. “I meant your first job. Do you like that one better?”
Tyson loved being a SEAL more than anything and he didn’t know how he would manage if he wasn’t allowed to be one anymore. “More than anything, I love my first job.”
“In that case, I hope that you can return,” Jayde was dying to know what ‘medical’ problem he had. Because the way they responded to each other she hoped to God it wasn’t an STD. It sounded a bit too serious for that though.
“Me too.” He was surprised that she didn’t pry into his past further. A woman who could respect privacy, what a novelty.
Tyson was used to the “groupies” that would sleep with any man that wore the Budweiser, the Trident pin that marked a man in the SEAL teams. When he had met Carrie, she was different—or so he thought. He had believed that she cared about him, turns out all she wanted was his money, but apparently it wasn’t enough when she snuck into his personal files and found out how much he really made, he just had a good savings account. “Had” being the operative word.
So she turned to another man, one that was extremely wealthy and around more. She had him believing that pretty much all women were the same until Jayde. There was something about her that made him want to give commitment a chance. Of course it could be because he hadn’t been with a woman in over fourteen months, since working on his latest assignment he hadn’t been able to ‘see’ Carrie. And he wasn’t even wearing proof of being in the Teams. But he would bet it was because of Jayde.
They ate in silence for a bit before Tyson spoke. “Why did you agree to have dinner with me?”
The instant flare of heat in her dark eyes told him way more than she would admit to out loud. “I am not sure. I wasn’t sure it would be smart, but there is something about you.”
His eyebrows arched. “Something about me? Care to explain that?” He tore off another piece of bread and put it in his mouth as he waited for her answer.
Jayde took another drink of her iced tea before she answered him. “There is just something about you that makes me feel…well…protected. I can’t explain it; you have this air about you.”
“Are you saying I stink?” he asked with an affronted look and sniffed himself.
She laughed. “No, not that kind of air. Maybe an “aura” would be a better word, I am not sure I can explain this.”
“Try,” Tyson sat across from a woman that he had known only a few hours in awe. He never would have guessed that he had any kind of ‘air’ or ‘aura’ at all. Sure when he had been with his SEAL team, it was a dangerous one but he had been away from them for about a year now.
“Okay,” she drawled, giving Tyson a real glimpse into her past. She was a southerner. “There is this look on your face that tells people around you not to mess with you. That you know how to defend yourself, it doesn’t look aggressive just confident.”
Jayde shook her head slightly and cocked it to the side. “But at the same time I see a gentle strength in you that says you are willing to protect. And I feel safe with you, which says a lot since I don’t trust many men.” That blush he enjoyed so much filled her cheeks. “Anyway, that’s why I agreed to dinner, ‘cause I feel safe with you.”
“You are safe with me,” he said as he reached one hand across the table to grasp one of hers. “I would never let anyone harm you.” There was a fierceness to his tone that made Jayde wonder just who this man was.
All she could do was smile and look away to her plate of food. Tugging her hand back she began to cut her chicken so both hands would be busy. There had been a possessive fire in his eyes that made her tremble.
As she looked away from him a tingle went up Tyson’s spine. He glanced around the room and found some of the local authorities looking at him. Jayde was hidden by the person behind her, but they had spotted him and were gesturing and speaking with agitated motions. After a moment they disappeared but he didn’t feel any relief. He had learned a long time ago to trust his gut and it didn’t like what he had seen.
“Is everything alright, Tyson?” Jayde’s voice broke into his thoughts.
“Sure. Just thinking about work and things.” He didn’t want to worry her.
Jayde nodded. “Tell me more about you.”
“For a woman who didn’t want to give me her name, you sure want to know a lot about me.” He teased.
“Humor me,” she quipped as she finished her meal and wiped her mouth. I love it that he has a sense of humor.
“Yes ma’am. What do you want to know?” Tyson laid his utensils down on the table done with his meal as well.
Jayde put her elbows on the table and leaned on her fists to stare directly at him. “Surprise me.”
Tyson too leaned in. “I grew up in Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth area. Went to college at the best; the University of Texas.” He didn’t tell her that after one year there that he wanted something different and transferred to Annapolis for OCS.
“Go Longhorns,” she added with a grin.
“You a Longhorn?” he asked as an olive skinned man pushing a cart full of desserts stopped by their table. Four shelves of mouthwatering pastries sat there waiting for their decisions. Tempting their stomachs that didn’t seem so full anymore.
“No. But some of my good friends are.” She paused to point out which dessert from the passing cart she wanted to try. A bread pudding soaked in whiskey sauce. “I am a Bulldog. UGA all the way baby.”
He laughed. “Football fan, huh?” Tyson pointed to a triple layered chocolate cake drizzled in a raspberry sauce.
“Love it,” she said with rising enthusiasm. Her entire body glowed by way of her animation. “I watch more professional now than anything, but I still follow college.” They fell silent as their desserts were placed in front of them by a pretty young woman who was with the man; her only job was to put the desserts from the cart onto the table. And they both began to eat the desserts.
“How’s yours?” Tyson asked as he watched Jayde eat another forkful.
Without hesitation Jayde got some on her fork holding it out across the table for him to try. As his mouth closed around her fork she envisioned him sucking on her mouth and other parts that desperately wanted his attentions. “Mmmm.” He sighed and licked his lips, “Delicious. Here, try mine.”
Jayde accepted the chocolate bite from the man across the table from her. Damn her mind for traveling down roads best left alone. “That’s good.”
She swallowed again as she watched him relish what little chocolate there was leftover from her taste. His hazel eyes never left hers as he drew the fork into his mouth to clean it off.
“Everything he does is erotic,” Jayde muttered softly under her breath. Not soft enough though because Tyson heard it and his body responded, hardening to the point of being almost painful.

After dinner was over they had hot drinks, Tyson drank coffee and Jayde had tea. “So tell me why you wanted to have dinner with me,” Jayde asked the handsome man across from her.
“I didn’t want our time together to end so soon. I wanted…and still do want to get to know you better,” Tyson answered the woman who had ensnared him.
“Right. You just wanted my name.” Her eyes twinkled with good humor.
“That too.” He winked. Sliding his chair back he stood and walked around the table to her side. “Dance with me,” his voice implored. He didn’t understand what she was doing to him; he had hated dancing with Carrie and would avoid doing it at all cost. So why was it so important for him to dance with Jayde? Because he wanted to hold her in his arms once again.
How could she not? “Okay,” Jayde got to her feet and felt like she was floating as he walked her over to where other couples were dancing.
With ease he maneuvered them out onto the dance floor. He was an easy man to follow and as she laid her head on his chest, an action that seemed natural for her, they moved around effortlessly.
Content to hold her in his arms, Tyson kept them out there for three songs. She moved so well in his arms on the dance floor, he knew that they would move this well in bed together.
After the third song, he escorted her back to their table; once again his hand was on the small of her back. They passed a large mirrored surface and Tyson got a good look at them. They made a wonderful couple. Him fair, her dark. Him tall, her shorter. Him trim and her curvaceous. He also noticed that other people were watching them in an almost jealous way.
Tyson helped her back into her chair and then reclaimed his seat, signaling for another round of drinks.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For what?”
“The dance. You are a wonderful dancer.”
“You as well. But you are welcome just the same. Tell me more about you,” Tyson said as their drinks were filled.
He stirred his coffee as a storm rolled into the area they could hear the thunder rumbling.
“Not much to tell. I lead a very boring life.” Little did she know that was about to change.
“I doubt that. What about your family?” His eyes moved around the room before settling back on her face.
“My parents are alive and well in Savannah, Georgia. I have three brothers and two sisters. I am the youngest at twenty-nine. They all want to control my life and that is about it.” She smiled sadly.
“I don’t see how your life could be boring with five siblings in it. If I can ask without it being too personal, how come you were the one sent to take care of your cousin?” Tyson asked as he drank some coffee.
“Because I hadn’t started what they considered a real career yet. So I went to New York. But I got away from ‘the bosses’, my family, for a while. I am glad I went, sorry she died, but glad I was there with her. If that makes any sense.” Jayde shrugged.
“It does. It makes perfect sense. You needed to get away from your ‘overbearing’ family and though you are sorry it took a family member’s illness to do so, you were glad you got to go.”
“You do understand.” Jayde looked at him even closer. For a moment she wondered what it would be like to have a man like him in her life, to come home to everyday. Perfect, it would be perfect.
“So, what is your big ‘career’ that you haven’t started yet?” he asked as he saw her blush and wondered what she was thinking.
“I don’t know. I went to school for business, but I love to paint. So I doubled and got an art degree as well. But the family doesn’t think that will pay the bills so I have to find a good business. I suppose I could always work for Father, but I don’t want to. My whole life I have been the baby. The one who needs ‘looking after’ since I can’t make good decisions according to them, but I take care of them all when it comes down to it. I just want to do something for me, that I love.”
Tyson saw the passion that flared in her eyes as she talked about painting. “Then paint. Just do it.”
“Maybe.” She shrugged one shoulder, “What about you? Your family?”
“Well, I am a middle child. I have an older brother and a younger sister. I am thirty-five and my parents are also still living. My mom is a hospital administrator and my father owns a propane business. My oldest brother and I don’t get along very well. He works for the post office as does my younger sister, she is a gem. You would love her. I don’t get home to see her much. I don’t see eye to eye with my father either, he wants me to be home with the rest of the family.”
Jayde could see that was a source of tension for him and so didn’t pursue it further. The light chiming of a phone reached them. “Excuse me, that’s my cell phone.” She opened her purse and flipped her phone open. “Hello?” She rolled her eyes, an action that brought another smile to Tyson’s face. “I’m fine. I’m in the middle of dinner. No, Sam, it is at my hotel so I am perfectly safe. I’m fine. Goodnight, Sam.” She hung up her phone.
“Brother one, two or three?” he asked as she brought another grin to his face with her annoyed expression. Amazed at the amount of times he had smiled since he met her, Tyson didn’t want to let her walk out of his life. Even the three years he was with Carrie he hadn’t smiled this much or this freely.
“Second oldest, which means the other two along with my sisters and parents will be calling soon, so I should call it a night. Thank you very much for a wonderful evening, Tyson Kincade.” Jayde gathered her purse and opened it and brought out her wallet.
He didn’t want the evening to end but he had never pressured a woman to share his time, so he waved for the bill. Jayde began to protest him paying for her portion until he gave her a look that silenced her.
As they walked through the dinning area to the lobby she said, “You didn’t have to pay for my dinner.”
“A date is a date. Now, I am walking you to your door.”
“Of course.” She led the way to the elevator where they stood with other guests as it went up to the fifth floor where she motioned they should get off.
Tyson walked beside her down the hall until she stopped at her door. Room 5627. “Your key?” He waited for her to give him her card key and opened the door for her.
Jayde walked into her room but Tyson remained in the doorway. “Again, thank you for dinner,” she said as she saw him watching her intently with his hazel eyes.
“You’re welcome, Jayde.”
The sound of her name rolling off his tongue should have been one of the seven deadly sins. “Goodnight, Tyson.”
“Jayde?” His seductive voice caressed her.
“Yes?” She set her purse down and faced him again as she stood by the door.
“I am claiming number two,” he said seconds before he kissed her.
Like the first time they kissed, her world spun out of control. His touch electrified her body. As his tongue stroked hers, she felt a reckless desire deep within her soul for this man.
He broke it off, his own breathing came fast and hard. One hand trailed down her face. “Goodnight. Dream of me.” Then he was gone. She had blinked and he was gone, like he hadn’t been there at all. If not for her swollen lips she would have sworn it was all a dream.
Still trembling, Jayde shut the door and locked it. Never had a man affected her like that. Jesus, why did he have to be such a gentleman?
Before she could dwell too much on that issue, her phone rang again and for the next three hours she spoke to—was lectured by—her family as they called to make sure she was still breathing and to let her know they thought what she was doing was stupid and childish. Then she finally made it into the shower where she let the pounding spray ease away her tension for the man she had just met this very day.

Chapter One of Kincade's Rose--unedited

2008-04-07T14:42:00.001+03:00

CHAPTER ONE

Hot damn he’s fine! My every fantasy come to life.
Jayde Porter sat at the outdoor café in the warm tropical breeze, overlooking the inviting turquoise water. The thought that she almost turned down this vacation still shocked her. Belize was so warm and beautiful unlike the cold weather in New York this winter.
She sipped her iced tea and smiled sardonically as she looked around at the many couples that wandered in and out of the surf. And here she was alone. I suppose this is the price I have to pay for coming all by my lonesome.
Well, she could have come with the man she had been dating for the past seven and a half months, George, if she had not broken it off. And if she were honest with herself, she didn’t want him here, nor anywhere near her. That was another reason she was glad to be alone; George was a handful. He was arrogant, condescending, and most definitely an asshole.
Suddenly, a man walking across the boardwalk caught her attention, every other person faded from her sight. She focused in on the man wearing khakis and a white polo shirt as if she had tunnel vision. He screamed virility without trying. Hell, he dripped it.
It wasn’t that he bulged with muscles; his were lean and defined but very real. He was evenly tanned and his shaggy brown hair looked like it was in need of a trim. A very good looking man. Caucasian men didn’t usually turn her head, but this one was downright fine. The thought that he looked ominous and capable came to her mind instantaneously, along with the word sex. It was like looking at a jungle predator, beautiful and deadly at the same time.
She wet her dry lips before taking another sip of the drink keeping a small ice cube in her mouth for her cottonmouth. He seemed to be looking for someone and as he turned around back towards the ocean she got to see the finest ass she had seen since she had been here. The finest one in her life. She bit down on the piece of ice with her back teeth and continued to stare at his retreating body.
Hot damn, he’s fine! My every fantasy come to life. It seemed as she blinked and tried to slow her breathing he disappeared. “Oh well,” she murmured to the air. “He’s probably married anyways, or has some blonde adoring girlfriend. Just another man for my fantasies.” And he would be a good one.
The beeping of her watch broke intrusively into her daydream. Damn. She may be on vacation but she still had some people she had been ordered to call at a certain time. Gesturing for the check, she paid her bill and stood shouldering her bag that was full of souvenirs.
Jayde turned to walk the quarter mile back to her hotel. Two steps into her journey she ran into something that felt like a brick wall. “Ah hell,” she swore as she dropped her bag and stumbled, only to find herself in the strong grip of a stranger.
Looking over her skewed sunglasses, Jayde came face to face with none other than her fantasy man from the boardwalk. In that second, her bag was forgotten on the pavement of the walkway, its contents free for the taking if anyone were inclined to abscond with them.
After she felt the blush stain her cheeks she cleared her throat. “Excuse me,” the mumbled words came from her once again dry mouth. She licked her lips and hoped that he wouldn’t notice her blush or her nervousness.
He noticed. “No, the fault is all mine. Excuse me.” The stranger had a deep rich voice, the kind that made women weep with sexual frustration. He still hadn’t let go of her arms. Jayde could feel his fingers molding into the soft flesh of her triceps. He was branding her as his.
“Let me help you with that,” he offered as he stared into her beautiful big brown eyes. His body was trembling with a feeling he hadn’t ever felt before, and didn’t want to lose.
What the hell was he talking about? She was lost in his eyes. Oh yeah, her bag. “N...n...no,” she stuttered. “I can do it.” She paused for a moment; his eyes were hazel with green flecks in them. “Can you let go of me?”
“I don’t want to,” he whispered a response that she almost missed. Almost. In a louder voice he said, “Sorry.”
A second after his hands dropped from her body she felt the loss. Jayde chalked it up to loads of sexual frustration and him being so damn fine. Oh he was nice and tall, about six three. She knelt down and began to shove everything back into her beach bag.
Moments later she felt rather than saw, since she refused to look at him, his presence as he crouched down as well. His hands, lean yet strong and nicely tanned with clean fingernails, reached out and began to pick up some of her scattered things.
“You don’t have to…” she protested.
“It’s entirely my fault that it happened,” he responded as he stood up and offered a hand down to the woman at his feet.
*****
Tyson couldn’t believe his past four months. He had been forced out from work on indefinite leave because of a medical issue, if that was what he could call a knife wound to the abdomen. To top it off, he had arrived home early from the stakeout situation only to find his fiancée in his bed with another man. The guy was someone with more money than him and had more time.
So three and a half months after kicking her out, he booked himself a vacation to Belize because he needed to get away from people he knew, people that wanted to check in on him all the time.
Deciding he needed some time to think about his future if he wasn’t allowed back into the Teams. Tyson was a solitary man and didn’t have many people he would call friends, with the exception of the members of the Megalodon Team. He liked to be alone. He operated best alone.
So he had come to this particular hangout along the beach for the first time since he had been in the tourist town and he saw her. Sitting alone under a big umbrella sipping on a tall cool drink, her full lips curving deliciously around a straw. He had no idea what she was doing alone because if she was his woman, she wouldn’t be left alone at all.
Tyson had literally frozen in place while he looked at her. Something from her reached out to him and intertwined itself onto his very essence, if he hadn’t known better he would have sworn he was looking across a crowded café front at his soul mate. She was not what he would have expected for his soul mate, but as of late his life had been full of surprises.
Her skin was perfect medium brown; she had shiny black hair that fell past her shoulders. But it was her smile that touched a part of him that he thought was dead; while she was looking in his direction she got a heated, intimate and passionately private look on her face.
He felt like a voyeur as he stared upon her. When her tongue snuck out to wet her lips, he groaned. Turning around had been the only way for him to salvage what was left of his sanity. Even his ex-fiancée hadn’t affected him like this. Tyson had walked off blending into the crowd until he got his control back.
Losing control was not his usual forte. In his line of work it could be dangerous. Lieutenant Tyson Kincade was a Navy SEAL who was currently on TAD (Temporary Assigned Duty). He was waiting to hear if he would be allowed to continue with the counterterrorism unit. When he did turn back around he saw she was getting ready to walk away.
Not one who usually jumps right in with a woman he surprised himself when he found himself heading for her. It had taken him over a month just to ask out his ex. Tyson was unsure of what to say to the mystery woman to break the ice. Before he could come up with something he ran into her, literally. Acting on pure instinct he reached out to steady her only to find he didn’t want to let her go. Ever.
So now here she knelt at his feet, taking his mind to all sorts of places. Places it shouldn’t necessarily be heading. Like how those full lips of hers will — not would — feel on parts of his body. How her limbs seemed built to fit exactly in his. Loving the view she offered his lecherous eyes as her top was exposing herself to him, he thoroughly enjoyed the green bra she wore. Unsure of what to do now he extended his hand to offer her assistance in returning to her feet.
*****
Jayde took his hand, trembling at the slight contact. He had a strong grip and it made her feel safe, protected. It was with incredible ease that he pulled her up to her feet showing that his arms held immense strength in them. Her eyes met his and she smiled. “Thank you.” She looked at his other hand and after tugging free of his grip opened her bag for him to deposit the remaining things inside it.
“You’re welcome. Again, I’m sorry about that,” he said as he set her things inside the mess of her beach bag.
“I should have been a bit more careful with where I was going,” she said and thought about his beautiful smile.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you,” his deep voice remarked. Tyson wasn’t sure what to make of the tilting of her head. Was she skeptical, scared?
“We haven’t officially met,” she observed and straightened her sunglasses, his view of her brown eyes once again hidden by darkened glass.
He sketched a bow. There was something about this woman. He didn’t want to leave her presence. “Hello, my name is Tyson. Tyson Kincade.” His greeting came with a stunning smile against his tanned skin. His lean hand reached out to close the distance between them.
Jayde took the hand and shook it, admiring the feel of his definitely callused hand on hers for the second time in the space of a few minutes. “Nice to meet you Tyson, Tyson Kincade.”
His top lip quirked along with his eyebrow as he tightened his hold on her hand when she tried to take it back. “That’s it? What about your name?”
A full smile crossed her face showing pearly white, beautifully straight teeth that gleamed against her darker skin. “Well, I already know my name,” she answered in a sweet southern drawl.
He laughed. A laugh that made her body clench with unreasonable desire. “But what about me?” His laughter sounded odd to him as well, for he hadn’t laughed in many months. Not that he had a reason to do so before.
She never lost her grin and her eyes sparkled behind the shades as she responded, “I know who you are as well. You just told me, you are Tyson, Tyson Kincade. Sounds kinda like James, James Bond.” Jayde removed her hand from his grasp and clutched her bag tighter, more than a little unnerved by her body’s reaction to his simple touch.
“You’re clever. I still want to know your name.” He stepped in closer bringing with him the scent of sandalwood and man, pure man. The grip on her bag wasn’t one of fear just caution, he noticed.
“I don’t know you well enough, besides I have to go. I have a few calls to make.” Her dark eyes moved over his body.
“Sure you aren’t just trying to get rid of me?”
Another brilliant flash of teeth. “I’m sure. I have to call home,” Jayde admitted.
“Husband?” Tyson wanted that answer to be negative, at the same time he heard the reluctance in her voice about calling home and decided even if she did have one it wasn’t a good relationship and so therefore shouldn’t feel guilty about his sinful thoughts towards her. And wouldn’t.
She shook her head, sending the subtle scent of grapefruit up to tantalize his nose. “No. No husband. I would hope that if I were married, he would want to be with me.” George was unquestionably not the one she wanted to be married to. This man however, she could easily picture waking up next to his body morning after morning.
“I know I would,” Tyson said immediately.
Jayde chose to ignore that statement. “Anyway, it was nice to meet you Tyson, Tyson Kincade. Excuse me.” As she walked around him he spun as well and fell into step beside her. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“Walking you to your door,” he said and continued to walk resolutely. He found her answering giggle and blush endearing.
“Isn’t walking someone to their door, done after a date? At night.” Her brown eyes glanced towards his without hesitation, for she was somewhat protected behind the glasses.
“Most of the time. But my mama raised me to be a gentleman. So I am walking you to your door,” he claimed.
“Your mama, huh?” Jayde smiled at the thought of his mother teaching him manners.
“Yes, Ma’am. Are you going to give me your name?” Hazel eyes implored.
“I don’t know. I don’t know you.” She was glad her glasses hid her eyes.
She was smart. Tyson applauded her reserve to give out information, but damn it all he wanted to know her name. “You know my name. How about this…have dinner with me tonight,” he offered as a suggestion...or a solution.
Jayde stopped walking and faced him. “Dinner?” She even removed her sunglasses allowing him to see the expressive eyes she had.
“Yes, you do eat don’t you?” Tyson wasn’t about to give in. He was going to hold onto this like a dog with a bone, he wanted to know all about her.
Like he didn’t see she wasn’t rail thin. “Of course. It’s just that…”
“Don’t tell me you have plans. With your boyfriend?” Tyson frowned at that thought.
“No plans, no boyfriend and that is not what I was even going to say.” She put one hand on a shapely hip and stared at him. “I was going to say that it could be dangerous for me to do this.”
“I’d protect you.” And he meant it.
Who’d protect me from you? Jayde could feel her father’s disapproval even from the large distance that separated them. This solidified her decision. “Meet in a neutral place?”
“Of course. We could eat at the restaurant in your hotel if that would make you feel better.” Tyson would be willing to eat anywhere as long as he could spend some more time with her.
“You don’t know where my hotel is,” Jayde stated the obvious.
“Not yet. I will since I am walking you to your door.” His confident voice thrummed every synapse in her body.
Why not, she was on this vacation to have fun. It was a time for her. “Alright. I’ll agree to dinner.” This man called to her body in—dare she say it—a way that she had never felt before, a spiritual way.
“Now, will you tell me your name?” he asked as they began to walk again.
“No.”
“That’s not fair,” he protested.
“Okay, let’s trade.” The words slipped out of her mouth.
Tyson was intrigued. “Trade what?”
“What will you give me if I give you my name?” Jayde asked. When did my voice become so throaty?
He touched her arm gently, and she stopped to turn those extraordinary dark brown eyes on him. “What do you want?” His tone had become even more seductive and with those four words had opened up a gate that Jayde wasn’t sure she would know how to get back through once she entered. Or if she would want to there was something about him made her want to act wantonly for once in her life.
Unable to turn away from his mesmerizing stare she countered. “What’s up for grabs?” Hello, double meaning.
Despite the numerous people that streamed past them it was like they were in their own world and were the only two people. “Name it,” the words he murmured were silky with challenge.
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about me,” Jayde said softly, suddenly embarrassed for her forward action.
“I won’t. Tell me, what do you want?” His voice was smooth and yet still insistent.
You to make love to me all night long. You to make me feel like a real woman. Your woman. “Dinner.” Had she really been about to say what she wanted?
He arched an eyebrow at that one. “Is it going to be a date?”
“Sure. Even with the whole walking me to my door afterward,” Jayde responded with a brilliant smile.
“Okay then, since you aren’t going to tell me what you really want, how about I tell you what I suggest?” His voice was down right primal and sex-infused.
Embarrassment was all gone leaving lust in its wake.
“Go ahead,” she said proud her words weren’t hesitant.
“A kiss,” Tyson said in his deep voice. His gaze remained steady and never wavered from hers.
“A kiss?” Jayde’s voice broke as she imagined his firm lips on hers.
“One name, one kiss,” he paused for a moment. “Deal?”
“Deal,” she agreed.
He broke into a leisurely smile that contained more than a bit of eroticism. Tyson stepped right up to her lush body; her smell of baby powder combined with the light citrus smell in her hair sent a jolt straight to his groin.
Jayde narrowed her eyes in confusion. “What?”
“I gave you two names.” His wolfish smile grew. “You owe me two kisses.”
Her insides melted. The rational part of her brain knew she should protest, but the promiscuous side of her wanted the kiss. Before she could form a word one way or another he took the decision away from her.
Tyson cupped the back of her head and held her still as his firm lips slowly lowered to hers. The touch was light but it sent a shockwave through both of their bodies. As his mouth pressed harder to hers, she felt her knees weaken.
Jayde was lost in a passionate haze. His tongue swept over her teeth before plunging into the warmth of her mouth to stroke her own tongue. In and out, in and out it went, mimicking an action that both of them wanted to experience with one another. The heat that grew between them was the kind that made lava look cool.
They both lost track of time before the other voices grew louder and they realized the people around them were cheering and catcalling them.
As Tyson gradually pulled away, Jayde found she was leaning on him; her hands had balled up his shirt in her fists. His eyes still burned with a fervor that made her trembling body even shakier. “One,” he said in a breathy voice, telling her that he wasn’t as composed as he wanted her to believe.
“Jesus,” was all Jayde said as she put a bit of space between them. Her fingers touched her swollen lips as if reliving the feeling of his on hers. In all her twenty-nine years she had never experienced a kiss like that one.
“That’s one way of putting it.” Tyson felt like he had just gone through Hell Week at BUD’s training, where boys go to become men and only a select few of those determined men got to become SEALs. His heart was pounding hard, palms were sweaty and he was exhausted. At the same time he was as hard as he had ever been and ready to take this woman to bed and please her or die trying. He was pretty sure he could please her; her explosive response to his kiss was proof of that.
“I really have to go,” Jayde stuttered, determined to ignore the hard erection that had been pressed against her while she was in his arms.
“And like I said, I will walk you to your door.” He gestured for her to lead the way.
This time though when they walked she felt the light contact of his hand on the small of her back. Protective and a bit possessive, his touch made her feel wonderful. The groups of tourists that they strode through may have gotten close, but none ever touched her. He made sure of that.
At the entrance to her hotel she stopped. “I can make it from here.” Her words broke the silence that had fallen between on the walk back.
“Dinner still?” Since she hadn’t said anything else about the kiss Tyson wasn’t sure if she had changed her mind and become angry over his forwardness. But it was not something he would take back; he loved the feel of her lips.
Jayde looked at him and nodded. “Sure. Here at…” she shrugged. “What? Six?”
“Six it is,” he picked up her hand and kissed the back of it, never releasing her gaze. “This doesn’t count as kiss number two.”
Jayde didn’t respond. She couldn’t. All she could do was stare until her watch beeped again. “Shit. I really have to go.”
Tyson watched as the panic crossed her face. “Go then. I will see you at six in front of the restaurant.”
“Don’t be late Tyson Kincade,” Jayde drew out his name, winked at him as she turned and ran inside the hotel disappearing from his sight. Totally unaware of her affect on him.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said to her retreating back. As he walked off towards his own hotel he knew he had found the other half to his lonely soul.

Blogging

2008-04-06T00:54:00.002+03:00

I spent part of my day today at our local chapter of RWA's monthly meeting. It was all about promos and I realized I need to be so much more diligent on keeping my blog up to date. So, I will start with posting once a week and hopefully will get better at it so I can do it more than that.

I'll be posting the first chapter *unedited* of the first story of my SEAL Team on Monday, so if you haven't read it, make sure you check back.

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T22:47:00.001+02:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. I hope the day was spent with family and friends. And wherever you are, I hope the weather was nice for all those Easter egg hunts.

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

A new story on the Satin Notes site ~ Magnetism

2008-03-07T05:14:00.002+02:00

Magnetism ~ Blurb
by Aliyah Burke, McKenna Jeffries, and Taige Crenshaw
Genre: Paranormal
Length: NovelPrice: FreePublication Date: March 7, 2008 - April 25, 2008Cover art by MMJ Designs

When death comes calling and you live, you can withstand anything life throws in your path. Even the most tempting man imaginable, who will change the very foundation of all you believe.

Despite being told she imagined it, Kira Winters knows what she saw that dark night her life changed. Beings that should be myths. The same creatures that took her newly found brother and almost her life. One thing kept her alive – the need for vengeance. When a man comes to her confirming all she saw, and surprising her with a revelation that rocks her world, Kira does not know what to believe. It doesn't matter that her body cries out to be taken by this man, who seems to be the very thing that she despises most. There is no way she can give in to the call of her most basic need and forget what she needs to do--find those who tried to kill her and make them pay.

Heller Sidorov knows that getting emotionally involved with Kira Winters is the worst thing he could possibly do. Being able to resist her is another thing entirely. In his line of work, involvement can get you killed, or be used as a weapon to control you. Kira may claim to hate him, but her scent tells a different story. Her eyes give away the need she feels despite all her denials. They should not mix business with pleasure. Usually, he is able to resist the temptation. But one taste of Kira led to too many to count, and then a whole heap of trouble. If he could avoid her, he might be able to keep from ripping her clothes off and taking her every way possible. But he does not have that option. They both agree on terms to fulfill their animal attraction--terms that clearly state, while they search for those who tried to kill her, they will fulfill all their fantasies, erotic and otherwise. Once they complete what they must do, they will walk away from each other.

Yet, even as he agrees, Heller knows that, for his kind, there is no walking away. There’s no escape from the Magnetism that binds them.

Look out for Magnetism on Satin Notes ~ http://www.satinnotes.com/ starting March 7, 2008.

New Release!!

2008-02-01T20:17:00.002+02:00

Happy Friday to all:

My newest release is now available at Red Rose Publishing. http://www.redrosepublsihing.com/

Blurb for Zora’s Chance

Chance Jameson knew the delectable Zora Nicolette would be his downfall from time she showed up at his house bearing a basket full of mouth-watering gifts. What he really wanted could not be found on any menu. At least none that wouldn't get him into the most decadent problems. Problems that would be worth any moment spent in Zora's arms.

She is his temptation and he is Zora's Chance.

Unedited Excerpt of Zora's Chance:

It was Chance Jameson.
Her heart skipped and jumped into her throat. He wore a black leather jacket that only added to his appeal. It wasn’t zipped and she could see the same black button-down shirt he had worn earlier only now it was unbuttoned enough so she could see his bronzed chest.
“Chance,” she managed to say without much stuttering.
He stared straight into her eyes. The light from behind her highlighted the shadow of growth on his face. He remained silent.
“Something you needed?” she asked.
Chance stepped closer to her, bringing with him in the air the smell of a very cold, night. The kind of night that brought images of being curled up on a couch, in front of a fire, with a loved one. She inhaled sharply as his body brushed passed her when he entered her home.
Zora licked her lips as she shut the door and turned around to stare at the man watching her. His eyes rolled over her like a wave of desire.
“Well?” she demanded.
“I shouldn’t be here,” he uttered.
Her heart sank. He didn’t want her after all. Perhaps he couldn’t force himself to pretend long enough to fuck her. “There’s the door.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder.
Chance took a step toward her. And another. His stride turned predatory as he erased the remainder of the distance between them. His scent seemed stronger than usual, the smell of it so pungent she could almost taste it on her tongue as she licked her lips that seemed so dry again.
Zora tried to keep her quavering under control. If the damn man was going to leave her again, she wasn’t going to let him know his nearness affected her so much.
He didn’t pass her. No, he stopped right in front of her. His eyes were a dark and swirling mass of colors. She couldn’t decide which color was more predominant.
“Good night, Chance,” she said, doing her damndest to keep the pain out of her voice.
Chance backed her up until the door was at her back. The man was mute, his eyes never moving from her face.
When she could move no further, Zora would’ve sworn she witnessed a lift of one side of his mouth in a primitive masculine smile. His hands settled on either side of her head, blocking her in.
Her breasts began to ache for his touch, her skin prickled, and her breathing increased. Zora clamped her lips shut to contain the moan of desire inside.
Chance held her gaze and then dropped his eyes down to her lips and then back up to meet her eyes. Zora shuddered but didn’t look away from his burning stare.
“You seem to be blocking the door,” he whispered, his warm breath flowing over her, covering her with heat.
“Apparently,” she mumbled. Her eyes moved down to hone in on the tease of golden flesh that peeked out from his shirt. And stayed there.
“Ms. Nicolette,” he murmured.
Zora flashed her eyes back up to his. “What did I say about calling me that?”
That damn grin was on his face. He wanted her to look at him. Those intense eyes of his stared unrelenting at her as she tried to regroup.
“Would you say something?” she pled.
Chance bent his arms and lowered himself until their mouths were millimeters apart. He lowered his sinfully thick lashes until his eyes were almost hidden from her gaze.
“Tell me to go home.” His words were low and raspy, as if he had been gargling with pebbles.
“No.”

Man have I been lax...

2008-01-28T14:25:00.000+02:00

Wow. Well, I don't even have a viable excuse for not keeping my blog updated. So, I apologize.

Let me see if I can get you caught up on a few things.

I'm part of a wonderful group called Satin Notes. I work with Taige Crenshaw and McKenna Jeffries on stories that we are giving away as free reads. A thanks to our readers for their years of support. Doing about six stories a year, chapter by chapter, and updated every Friday. http://www.satinnotes.com/ The current story is called, Cami's Surrender and for those who remember my free read a while back Wanted: A Jem for Chad, we did a continuation for our yahoo groups for Christmas, Wanted: A Christmas Wish and then launched into Cami's story. These stories will alternate between the towns of Trescott Cove and Savoy Valley. Stop by the website to read up on all these places have to offer.

I have a new release coming out 01 Feb 2008 at Red Rose Publishing titled, Zora's Chance. This is a Trescott Cove story.

Blurb for Zora’s Chance

Zora Nicolette knew she was in trouble when the sensual Chance Jameson moved in next door. He was sin personified and she wanted to shatter his rigid control. She knew he had secrets but couldn't resist taking a chance for a walk on the wild side.
Chance Jameson knew the delectable Zora Nicolette would be his downfall from time she showed up at his house bearing a basket full of mouth-watering gifts. What he really wanted could not be found on any menu. At least none that wouldn't get him into the most decadent problems. Problems that would be worth any moment spent in Zora's arms.
She is his temptation and he is Zora's Chance.

So...for me I think that may be all for now. Aside from this I've been writing as much as I can. Oh, also I was nominated at Ecarta Romance for best Romance Ebook of 2007...very exciting that.

Until next time, which hopefully won't be so long...

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Happy Holidays!!!

2007-12-24T20:04:00.000+02:00

Happy Holidays Y'all:

I hope you have a safe and wonderful time with family and friends.

Please don't forget the men and women who are away from loved ones and family this season while serving their country.

~Aliyah

An Invitation...

2007-11-29T23:32:00.000+02:00

New Contract

2007-11-04T05:33:00.000+02:00

Hey, wanted to share that I got offered a contract with Phaze Publishing for a story I wrote for the Phaze Phenom Cover contest. No release date yet, but I'm very excited about this.

Happy reading,

~Aliyah

Buy a book, help charity

2007-10-30T19:51:00.000+02:00

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month

November is poppy month, the time of the year when we wear ared poppy in memory of those who laid
down their lives for our sakes

As Remembrance Sunday approaches, to pay tribute to our brave soldiers and those they’ve left behind, Total-e-Bound release our tribute anthology.

Total-e-bound wanted to do something to show our own real brave warriors—who fight to defend us and their countries every day—just how much their bravery means to us.

Being an ex-army wife myself, and having been brought up with the forces as a child, I know what it’s like for the families when the soldiers go off to war. The pain, emotion and worry those families endure, never knowing if their loved ones will come home.

I also know of their strength and courage in the face of adversity, and I know just how much the forces wives band together to create a solid and structured support network for each other, the likes of which you just don’t get in civilian life. But for sadly far too many, the pain and hardship goes on way beyond the scope of support networks and memorial parades, news reports and flag waving. As the years pass and the world moves on—news reports become historical texts. Memories fade for many but for some the pain is silent and deep, very real and enduring.

A forces life is not an easy one for the families waiting back home, but they are the backbone—the glue that holds it all together.

So for this anthology, we wanted to give something back. Give something to the wives and families who endure and who have loved and lost.

Total-e-Bound’s profits from this anthology will be going to Forces Benevolent Funds to support and help those families who have lost their husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, in the recent conflicts.

Remember to wear your poppy with pride.

Claire Siemaszkiewicz
Managing Director
Total-e-Bound Publishing

Our authors involved in this anthology would also like to say a few words as to why they decided to get involved in this project:

The opportunity to partner with Total-e-Bound for such a wonderful cause was a chance I didn’t wish to miss. While I am an author, first and foremost I am a Navy wife so if there was a way my writing could help families who have lost loved ones during these current conflicts, I knew I had to give it a shot. Military families are very often overlooked and I thank TEB for doing such a charity and allowing me to be a part of it.
~Aliyah Burke

I chose to participate in the Camouflaged Hearts anthology primarily due to the energy that evolved around the discussions and emails concerning this project. It just seemed right and meaningful. When I began the story, it took on its own voice and I loved writing about Emmy's journey. I hope you all enjoy!
~Jennah Sharpe

I have several family members who have served in the military, and I’ve seen first-hand, the struggles that military families endure as their soldiers are deployed. Participating in this anthology felt like tangible way to help in a situation where I’ve often felt helpless. In addition, I’ve also seen how love can flourish during these times, and I wanted to show that it’s possible for something beautiful to arise from the horror of war.
~Bronwyn Green

I was thrilled by the opportunity to participate in the Camouflaged Heart anthology from Total-e-Bound. What a magnificent idea for a publisher to donate their profits to charity...and I wondered, how could I do less?

My daughter, you see, fell in love with a soldier. It was a wild, thrill of a ride, heightened by the realization he would be deploying to Iraq within weeks of their meeting.
When he returned safely, they married, a fairytale event in a local park, a hurried event before their move to Texas.
We're among the lucky. CJ has, thankfully, been safe. But as we know, a great number of his comrades have not been.
Whit and my beautiful grandbaby live with the knowledge that time is precious, that every moment with CJ is to be cherished.
I've seen amazing bravery as they each watch the calendar tick toward the date of the next deployment.
In honor of the brave service people throughout the world, I am proud to donate every penny of my earnings to charity, as well.
~SL Majors

Please, it doesn't take long to buy an ebook and the decision to do so would help out the loved ones of those who have given their lives for us.

www.total-e-bound.com

the anthology will be released 12 Nov 2007

Thank you,

~Aliyah Burke

A launch party

2007-10-10T20:03:00.000+03:00

Good afternoon y'all:

Just wanted to stop in and say for those that have time stop by the launch party of Total Ebound. They are giving away prizes, having great articles and just tons of all around fun. If you don't have time...make some. It's worth it to stop by.

http://totalebound.blogspot.com

Happy happy,
~Aliyah

I admit it, it's a plug.

2007-09-08T17:03:00.000+03:00

Hey y'all. I am going to admit this outloud. I am plugging these upcoming anthologies from Total E-bound...but...the cause is well worth it.

Here is their information:
New Military Anthology - A celebration of our heroic soldiers.
We've closed the doors to the submissions on the soldiers anthology, so thank you to everyone who sent in their manuscripts for consideration. Remember, we will be releasing this anthology in November for charity, and all Total-e-bound Publishing proceeds will go to forces benevolent funds for army wives who have lost husbands in the recent conflicts. So, make sure you come on over to TEB and buy a copy - besides, who could resist soldiers?! *sigh* I LOVE a man in uniform!

I have been given the release date of 12 Nov 07 for at least the anthology that my story is in. Please support this cause, we all love to read and to give aid by doing so is a bonus.
Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Feeling better

2007-07-26T15:59:00.000+03:00

Okay, so it's been a while since I've written anything. I know. Sorry. I finally got another book published, a short book, $1.99 cost, but hey, at least I am getting back out there. So I am feeling better.
I know most of you don't really care but I do and I wanted to share. So now that I did, I'm gone.
Have a great day.

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Happy Fourth of July!!!

2007-07-04T03:51:00.000+03:00

Just wanted to wish everyone out there a Happy Fourth of July.

Don't forget our men and women who are serving this country, keep them in your prayers.

Happy holiday,

~Aliyah

Interview

2007-06-13T00:53:00.000+03:00

Okay, y'all:

Just wanted to share that I have an interview up with The Romance Erotica Connection. It is another chance to peep inside my crazy head.

http://www.freewebs.com/romanceconnection/index.htm

I'm under the interviews and in the author spotlight regarding the upcoming book from Red Rose Publishing, A Little White Lie. I want to thank them for allowing me the oppurtunity to be interviewed and put in the spotlight for a little bit.

Happy reading,
~Aliyah

Tagged...sigh

2007-06-09T16:53:00.000+03:00

Okay y’all. I’ve been tagged. Just newly have a blog and have been tagged not once, but twice. Granted I was tagged even before I got the blog…but still.

Here are the rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2.People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

Here are my eight random facts. Enjoy!

1) I love big trucks.
2) I’m a country girl at heart; city life is hard for me.
3) I used to shave my head.
4) Stargazing is a passion of mine
5) Military men make me drool (okay, those that know me…I know it’s not random but work w/ me here.)
6) I’m reading Shakespeare’s works in alphabetical order. (something I can thank Julia Quinn for)
7) I was home schooled for a while
8) I absolutely love to eat popcorn when I read.

And I haven’t forgotten, although I bet they wish I did, the eight people I have so chosen. I’m beggin’ each one of y’all to forgive me:
L.T. Rashard
Layne Blacque
Crystal B. Bright
Taige Crenshaw
Shiree McCarver
Savannah Frierson
T.J. Michaels
Gillian Kiernan

First Post of the new Blog

2007-06-09T05:45:00.000+03:00

Hello readers.

This is my first attempt at a blog so please bear with me. Please feel free to ask me questions or make comments.

I have a new website just launched: www.aliyah-burke.com please stop by, look it over and don't forget to sign the guestbook.

I am so excited about this and look forward to becoming more fluent in the blogging world.

Happy reading,
~Aliyah Burke

ps: please be easy on me...at least until my feet are well soaked in the waters.