Wooden Soldiers

Wooden Soldiers:

The Shaping of Imagination

By: Anne Elisabeth Stengl

I want to talk to you for a moment about wooden soldiers. Specifically, a set of

twelve wooden soldiers that belonged to a little boy a long time ago.

This little boy was called Branwell--because long ago, everyone had funny names like that and no one thought it a bit strange--and he lived in a remote country house on a moor in England. As isolated as his home was, Branwell wasn't lonely; he had a lot of sisters. Neither was he bored; he had a keen imagination.

And he had this beautiful set of twelve wooden soldiers.

Branwell and his sisters--particularly the eldest, Charlotte--would play with these soldiers by the hour every day. And by play, I don't mean they would set up battles and chuck stones at them for bullets. Possibly they did sometimes, but that wasn’t the point of their play. No, Branwell and his sisters were far more creative than that. They invented personalities for each and every one of their twelve soldiers. And beyond personalities, they invented histories, relationships, dynamics, politics . . . an entire world, in fact, all sprung from their own imaginations.

Starflower

Tour Schedule

Author Anne Elisabeth Stengl



Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, MOONBLOOD, and STARFLOWER, with DRAGONWITCH due to release in 2013. HEARTLESS and VEILED ROSE have each been honored with a Christy Award.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Goodreads

Starflower



When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.



But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Christian Book

Back In Love

 

 

Arnaz and Isis Rogers closed in on their 20th wedding anniversary; they had grown

apart over the last year. Each had time-consuming careers as well as raising a fifteen year old son, Quentin, who calls himself Q-tip in the town of Sugarland, Texas. Arnaz is a best-selling book author, specializing on the music world, something he began after graduating from Stillman College in 1992 and a year before they got married. Isis is considered one of the top Endocrinologists in the state of Texas, and just added Dietology to her job title at the Houston Medical Center. She received a hefty pay increase, which equaled her work load. How would they find their way back to each other?
Buy Link

About the Author:
K.T. Bishop is an award-winning sportswriter who lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, who's now added best-selling author to his resume. He was part of a Pulitzer winning newspaper and has a teenage daughter. Bishop grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he attended the BCS national champion Alabama and graduated from Stillman College.

Website

Excerpt:
His heart pounded hard as he stared at the phone vibrating on the desk in the den. “Why the hell are people bothering me?” Arnaz ignored the phone, which stopped ringing for a few seconds, then rang again over the next five minutes.
Arnaz flicked open the phone and saw the double-digit area code followed with seven numbers on the ID screen. “Oh shit, it's Ebony.” He pressed the leave message button on his phone.
Ebony Lane was Arnaz's Editor at Roman Publishing and had been on his case to produce another book.
His skin crawled when he heard her thick accent speak angrily. “This may be a game to you, but this is no joking matter. If we don't have a book proposal in two weeks, your contract with us is over. I expect to hear from you soon.”
He hurled the phone against the wall and a loud pitch yelp of fear was released from his lips. “How could they do this to me?” Lane and her Italy-based company just put his ass on the line.
This was the biggest slump of Arnaz's career. He hadn't written a book in two years, the longest drought he went between manuscripts. Doubts began to creep inside his brain, as Arnaz wondered if he could rise to the occasion. He muttered to himself. “I think it may finally be over.”
Unlike most authors, Arnaz had no agent to serve as a buffer between him and the Publishing Company. He handled his own negotiations, but could use an agent right now. “I knew not having an agent would bite me in the ass.”
Out of the blue, Arnaz pulled out one of his books from the shelf that was above the computer. “Maybe I can find something that will light a fire.” He was desperate enough to look into one of his previous works for a spark.
Arnaz picked the last book he wrote, Wishing on a Star, the Untold Story of Latin Freestyle Music, was a best-seller, especially in the Hispanic community. Listening to Sweet Sensation, Seduction and Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam provided great memories for him as a teenager and young adult. “They don't make songs like this anymore.”

Trilogy of Shadows

Title: The Trilogy of Shadows (Omnibus Edition)
Author: Dawn McCullough White
Published: Claypipe Press; 2 Edition (November 30, 2011)
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Word Count: 220,000 Total

Synopsis:
The Trilogy of Shadows contains books 1-3 of Cameo's bloody saga...


Cameo the Assassin~ The Kingdom of Sieunes is rife with taverns, dirty streets, and clay pipe smoking citizens all toiling to feed their families and keep themselves in something little better than rags. With a foiled revolution just ten years prior still burning in the hearts of many, the royals enlist the aid of assassins to keep things in order.

The townsfolk entertain themselves by dreaming of better times to come and regaling in stories of the undead said to walk the graveyards at night... and of Cameo the killer with corpse-like eyes... Scarred and jaded Cameo is one of the most effective assassins in the employ of the Association, moving from one mission to the next as long as the alcohol keeps flowing.

Her acceptance of the murder-for-hire lifestyle is thrown into doubt when she meets a local highwayman with a penchant for fine clothes and women, and then she begins to think about breaking with the company but no one ever breaks with the Association under good terms.

Cameo and the Highwayman~ The land of Shandow is a place of arctic cold, the scene of the bloody revolution and the location of the item Cameo's master wants so badly. In the dark of winter a vampire lies in wait... Opal is unable to run from his past... and Cameo must make a choice that will cost her the last shred of humanity she has left.

Cameo and the Vampire~ A vampire's bite tormenting Cameo, she pushes forth on a journey that will find her descending into darkness and at Kyrian's request she is forced into the confrontation she has been avoiding for over fifty years with the undead that made her...

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads

 

 

Excerpt:
HER EYES WERE WHITISH, corpse-like, caught in the sliver of moon through a tall window overlooking the Azez, and she searched Opal’s face with those dead eyes… a zombie’s eyes.
He had finally fallen asleep after midnight. He had fought it, but lounging in the canopy bed, his head resting against a silk pillow that threatened to engulf him, he eventually succumbed to slumber. He hadn’t bothered to remove anything but his boots.
Kyrian was asleep on one of the fainting couches at the other end of the room.
The room was so quiet. The fire had gone out, and a plume of smoke slipped up and out the chimney, wispy, like a ghost. The room was mostly dark, lit only by the moon, so where the light did fall it caught everything in a gray light. Like Opal’s face.
In his finery, he looked like a romantic painting. The bellowing sleeves, the lightness of his ruffled shirt, and a lone ribbon that dangled down off the mattress. His face was pale in the moonlight.
At the doorway she saw her thralls, the shadow-men whom she had sent to find Ivy’s bones, the treasure that her Master had sent her to seek. They were back, and she couldn’t dally. That could only anger Haffef, and the only time she had done that, she had very nearly died. They stood at the doorway awaiting her next move.
She had hoped they wouldn’t be back so soon.
Cameo slid from the chair she’d been perched on and knelt down silently beside the bed. She removed an empty wine glass from Opal’s hand and set it on the floor.
“Opal,” she uttered, gently brushing a lock of hair off his face.
He stirred, but there was no reply.
She turned and motioned the shadows on ahead of her then, without further pause, swept out the door with the speed of something supernatural.

About the Author:
Dawn McCullough-White writes mainly dark fantasy. Her novels tend to favor the use of
anti-authority anti-heroes as the main characters, most commonly with a strong, female protagonist.

Dawn was born in 1969, in Rochester, NY, and began writing prose at age 14. Ms. McCullough-White is married and has a young son. She is fascinated by history and social psychology. She is a vegetarian and animal lover. Her favorite drink is Gewürztraminer. She's fan of Alice in Chains, U2, and Stabbing Westward, her favorite books include The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, A Movable Feast by Ernest Hemingway, and The Social Animal by Elliot Aronson. Dawn is represented by the Kleinworks agency.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website

An Affair Across Times Square

An Affair Across Times Square – Book One
Layla Morgan is tired of getting into trouble, and getting hurt. And she fears her

wild nature is going to strike yet again. But maybe this time, she’s finally met the guy that can stand close enough to touch her inner flames, and not get burned.
Tyler Lachlan doesn’t stand a chance of resisting the delicious distraction of the mystery woman across Times Square. He’s sure there’s more to her than her sultry voice and mahogany thighs, but he doesn’t know if he’s willing to risk his career to find out.
Could what began as a voyeuristic affair across Times Square develop into something more?
Buy Links – Amazon / Loose ID / Fictionwise / Barnes&Noble

Spicy with a Side of Cranberry Sauce – Book Two (expected release date December 2012)
Amy Easton is hell-bent on making this Thanksgiving holiday perfect for Dad, and herself. But when she arrives at Martha’s house, she quickly realizes she is in way over her head. She has no idea how to run a holiday, especially one in someone else’s home. What will Dad’s new girlfriend think when Amy screws it all up?
Mason Rider is blindsided by the woman in the grocery store headed for the last can of cranberry sauce. He lets her charm him right out of it and leaves with a non-committal maybe that she’ll call him next week. He should be more focused on helping mom through her first post-divorce Thanksgiving, but he can’t help but lust after the Kindergarten teacher with a hard edge.
When he comes home to find the sexy cranberry-stealing blonde and her father in Mom’s house, his holiday hook up plans burn to cinders. Will he be able to resist Amy’s temper and spontaneous nature, or will his desire force him to break a promise he made to his mother?

Dreaming of Books

 

 

3rd Annual Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop

January 18th to 24th

Co-hosted by Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf

 

 

 

Up for grabs internationally in this hop is a copy of a book that I really enjoyed: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. As always its not a requirement that you follow my blog but it is always appreciated. Thanks for stopping by the Cotton Patch.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Diaries of the Fag Hags

Diaries of the Fag Hags

Toy Davis

The Diaries of the Fag Hags follows three wild ladies as they go on their little adventures through life; Darnisa, Jasmine, and Faye. Darnisa is a strong, out-spoken, woman who is determined to prove she can get a man. Jasmine has to work through her own issues, while accepting that the hot men surrounding her do not want her because she has no penis. And Faye has a habit of looking down her nose at others while having a hard time standing up to her man. Come explore their life's, and their secrets.
Buy links: No Boundaries Press / Barnes & Noble / Amazon

About the Author:
Toy Davis has always used writing as an escape from the boring reality she found herself in. She writes stories she enjoys, and hopes others will enjoy it as well. A lot of her stories and novels begin with a 'what if', and then become so much more. She loves food and dancing as well, and this is usually reflected in writing. Today she lives in California with her long time boyfriend, and two bratty cats. For more info go to facebook

Website

Excerpt:
Outside, the air felt cool against my flesh. My flesh? I distantly thought. I looked down and saw my bare arms. My coat; where was it? I pulled my hurricane closer to my body as I circled my little spot. Lucky, I didn't fall over.
Strange, it's gone. Taking another drink, I forgot to care.
"Jasmine," I heard my name come from inside the house.
“Oh, shit,” I thought with panic. They're coming; Carson's coming. Fear tightened my chest.
They're coming. I could already hear him babbling about the self-composed drama in his life. I took another drink; I didn't want to hear it.
My vision cleared as I found my escape. Across the street sat two rows of unfinished houses. Their skeletons were up, but there were no doors or paint, and I was betting that most of the interior walls were missing, as well. Taking my flight, I hurried over with the hurricane splashing on my fingers. Damn it, it was going to waste.
“Jasmine!” I heard their taunting calls.
Have to get away raced through my mind. I left the sidewalk to make my way to the first house. "Shit." Mud sucked at my boot. I leaped onto the forgotten beams of wood to cleanly make it the rest of the way.
Inside it I found I had been right. The beams were up, though no solid wall filled the space between them. Holding my glass, I looked around. Stairs, I thought with a smile. True, there wasn't a rail yet but it would take me to the next floor, damn it. Rushing forward, I made it to the top, spill free, in fact. Damn, I'm good.
Smiling in triumph, I paced around the small top floor. My face soured as I realized how small it was. I turned and was faced with another wall; it was painfully small. Lifting the glass, I took another drink. With the glass still at my lips I spotted the jewel of the unfinished home. The tub.
"Oh." I rushed forward. I knew I must sit in it. There was a window above it. Nice. Looking out, I found the view left much to be desired. All I saw was the dirt backyard and the house on the next street over.
I dismissed it with a quick shrug as I switched my attention to the tub. It was a good size tub that could hold at least three people. I wanted to sit in it; I felt myself smile. Lifting my foot, I went to step in it. I noticed the coldness first, then the wetness. What?
"Water?" I snatched my foot from the tub. I stared at the darker cloth, of my jeans, in wonder. I could already feel my sock clinging to my foot. Great. What was the purpose of putting water in a tub of an unfinished house? "Idiots," I mumbled. Insulting them made me feel a little better.

Echopharte

The ancients revered them. The colonists feared them. Today, no one believes in them. Shifters have lived and worked among humans since before recorded history.
Echopharte tells of the first community and how both good and evil have continuously shaped our society, from ancient times up to the present day.
Buy Link

About the Author:
Anthony Stevens is the pen name of a gentleman who has written and published alternate history, urban fantasy and paranormal romances stores. He considers himself a bit of a bard and can usually be talked into sharing a tale or two at any gathering.
He often refers to himself as a tecknogeek olde pharte with a wide variety of life experiences. Although currently employed as an electronic security analyst, he’s worked in a variety of industries including stints teaching computer history at the Florida Institute of Technology, teaching English in a business college in Mexico City and as a technical writer and graphic designer for several high-technology firms.
Besides writing, his interests include photography, space explorations, model railroads, steam engines of all types, history and computer graphics. He’s been reading one or two novels a week since elementary school.
Anthony is also a huge fan of Free and Open Source Software since he hates the idea of putting any more money into the pockets of either Bill Gates or Steven Jobs.
Website

Excerpt:
Alisa pushed it aside. “Oh, that won't do among family, girl. Here. Give me a hug.” The warm embrace was just as enthusiastic as the one she gave her son. “Now you two come on up and let's get comfortable. I've got the AC turned up since I know you're both used to the mountains and it's hot and humid out here.”
Later that evening, Grego left his folks watching TV and took Kimmy out, on to the veranda that wrapped all the way around the upper level. “Come on, hon. There's something I want you to see.”
Out back, he led her down another set of stairs and onto a wooden walkway that seemed to float above the grass for a few feet, then curved away, between huge cypress trees. Most of the way, the walk was four or five foot over the swamp. The full moon had a hard time filtering through the tall, moss-draped trees. Well out of sight of the house, the wooden path emerged from the trees and became a dock. The river was mostly smooth with only narrow bands of ripples to show the current and eddies around submerged rocks. It mirrored the black shadow-trees of the opposite bank.
Grego sat on one of the pilings. “This feel a bit quieter, Kim?”

Starflower Book Blast

Starflower



When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.



But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Christian Book

Excerpt

The Kiss by
the River:

The girl did not stir when Eanrin lifted her
into his arms; her sleep was profound indeed. Her head lolled over his arm, and
he was obliged to part her thick hair to uncover her face. It was an uncommonly
beautiful face for a mortal.

However, this girl’s beauty was
different from any he had ever before seen. For one thing, her skin was rich
dark brown, and her hair glossy black. For another, she was imperfect. Her
teeth, visible between gently parted lips, were a little crooked. Mud stained
her skin, making it darker still, and her brow, even in sleep, was puckered
with anxiety or fear. Her dreams must be wicked indeed.

Eanrin grimaced at the sight and
almost put her down again. After all, a princess with dreams like those
probably had a tale of woe to match. She would certainly wake with expectations
of a handsome hero to aid her. As far as Eanrin was concerned, a dash of
heroism was one thing, but commitment to a cause? Never. Rushing off to the
rescue of Lady Gleamdren was different, for he had determined that she must be
his wife and the sole inspiration to his life’s work. Besides, he loved her.

This creature meant nothing to him.

But blood oozed from the abrasions
on her wrists. And her body, mortal and vulnerable, lay in his arms. Eanrin
rolled his eyes heavenward as though to seek some holy aid. Then he braced
himself and wiped the mud off her lips with the edge of his cloak. She frowned
in her sleep and stirred, but did not wake.

“Nothing for it,” he muttered.
Closing his eyes and trying not to smell her any more than he must, he leaned
in and kissed her . . .

Author Anne Elisabeth Stengl



Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, MOONBLOOD, and STARFLOWER, with DRAGONWITCH due to release in 2013. HEARTLESS and VEILED ROSE have each been honored with a Christy Award.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.







a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Vendetta

 

Blood Vows Book One- The Vendetta

E. Jamie

 

 

The O’Reiley’s and the Dardano families have always despised each other, turning New York City into a war zone and dividing the loyalties of the biggest families in organized crime. When mob princess Brianna O’Reiley’s husband is murdered under the patriarch Bernardo Dardano’s orders, she vows vengeance on the family that has destroyed hers.
Trying to regroup after her loss, Brianna leaves her young son William with her family and leaves the city to spend some time alone. A snow storm blows in and she crashes into another car on the road. Both she and the other driver are unharmed and take shelter from the storm where Brianna allows herself for just one night, to forget her tragedy in this stranger’s arms.
They part, neither knowing the other’s identity only to discover in a cruel twist of fate that the passionate stranger who helped her through her grief is none other than Alessandro Dardano, the eldest son of Bernardo, returned to New York from running his father’s business overseas to now take his place as Bernardo’s successor.
And Brianna is now pregnant with his child.
Buy Links: No Boundaries Press / All Romance Ebooks / Amazon / Barnes And Noble

About The Author:
E. Jamie lives in Toronto Canada and loves roaming the streets of her vibrant city to feed her muse. She loves penning passionate tales across all erotic sub genres from contemporary to historicals that leave the bedroom door wide open! She's always thrilled to hear from her readers at her website www.authorejamie.wordpress.com
Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon

Reviews:
"The foreplay between Alessandro and Bree is ongoing with each argument, glance across a room, or thought and the sex between the two boils over as soon as they make physical contact." –Just Erotic Romance 5/5 stars http://www.justeroticromancereviews.com/book-review.cfm?bookID=988436381&reviewID=8967&sNav=nav03-06&CFID=64317832&CFTOKEN=98067190
"How can these two heal the blood feud and have a normal life together when Bree knows Alessandro’s family killed her husband, the father of her son Will? How can Alessandro keep his somewhat psychotic brother from harming Bree and Will? This is the background for this unconventional love story…"-Manic Readers Reviews 4.5/5 stars http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=25291

Excerpt:
Oh, come on! Her body whimpered. He stood there in black boxer briefs that hugged the tight cheeks of that ass she knew so well. In a tickling fit, she had bitten the right cheek playfully and the noise he had made was so hilarious that it had sent her into a fit of giggles. His lean waist grew into a broad, muscled back. She remembered feeling the shift and bunch of those muscles beneath her fingers, digging into the skin with her nails as he thrust powerfully above her.
He turned and went still when he saw her. His brown eyes held hers for what felt like a breathless eternity. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t look away.
Alessandro took a step towards her, and Bree jerked backwards, coming up painfully against the refrigerator door handle. He winced and moved to her side.
“Are you all right?” He asked, his fingers rubbing the sore spot in the center of her back.
Bree moaned in reply and shifted her body without thought so that his fingers lowered to the small of her back. He pressed there, bringing her body closer to him as a result.
“There?” he asked pressing in firm slow circles.
She nodded silently, feeling too good to ruin it with pesky things like arguing with him and remembering that she didn’t want him to touch her.
“I imagine carrying a baby is hard on your spine, eh?” He whispered, his breath caressing the top of her head.
“Mmm,” she said.
“Here,” he turned her around so that she was facing the wall and moved both hands to her hips, using his thumbs to massage his way upwards along the small bones of her spine.
She practically purred at the luxurious feeling, swaying a little bit so that she fell against him. She felt a very hard bulge against the cheeks of her ass and the memory of his hips snapping with relentless speed against her filled her pussy with wetness and her heart with want.
And her head with panic.
Bree pulled herself away from his fingers and jerked away from his body. Her blood raced and if her face was as flushed as Alessandro’s was, he knew what she had been remembering because he’d been recalling it too.
He lowered his head and shook it from side to side, giving her a rueful smile. “I find it so ironic that someone I think of as sometimes so brave to the point of stupidity could be so terrified of her own happiness,”
Bree felt the shot hit home, and she couldn’t look at him. She ran her finger along the marble topped of the island. “That’s ridiculous. Who in their right mind is afraid of being happy?”
“Someone who has lost too much,” he moved slowly towards her in gentle careful strides as if he was afraid of startling her.
Fair enough, she did tend to attack him when he tried to corner her, but for some reason, Bree just couldn’t tonight. The much too relaxing bubble bath must be making her sluggish.
“Someone who is so used to being told she caused too much pain to others to ever be worthy of happiness herself,”
Bree closed her eyes. “Shut up. Please, Alessandro.”
“No, darling,” A hand came up to cup her face. “I don’t dare shut up because you’re too important to me. What we feel is too important.” He tilted her head up to look at him. “My God, but you are the most exquisite thing I’ve ever seen. Don’t you know I would give up everything for you? Anything you wanted would be yours. Even my life, Brianna. I would willingly give up my life for yours. I love you that much,” he ran a thumb along her bottom lip. He lowered his head to hers. “We could be so happy, darling,” he gingerly kissed her, testing her.
Bree’s heart was too full of his words to stop him.
“I never feel half as alive as I do when I’m with you.”
He deepened the kiss for a moment, just enough to make her whimper when he withdrew. His hand moved to her breast, cupping it, running his palm against the too-sensitive nipple.
Bree felt heavy, drugged, open and wet…so wet.
“Let me make you happy, Brianna,” he sighed into her mouth, caressing the seam of her lips with his tongue.
Bree shook with the force of her need for him. Oh God, resisting him was so hard. He was so beautiful, so much stronger than she was, so determined.
And she didn’t feel half as alive when she wasn’t with him either.
She lowered her hand to the bulge in the tight material of his boxers, feeling the warm heat of his cock through the fabric.
Alessandro growled into her mouth and pinched her nipple with his thumb and forefinger.
“Yes…” she sighed arching backwards against the island, cold and hard compared to the warm solid body in front of her.
The only sound in the dark room was their breathing and the low hum of the refrigerator.
Alessandro gave a soft grunt of triumph before capturing her mouth for a thorough, devastating kiss that shook Bree all the way to her toes. His hands dug into her hips and he lifted her onto the island, pushing the robe up her thighs. Her breasts were closer to his mouth at this height, and he watched her eyes as he lowered the material of her robe off her shoulders, waiting for her to stop him. To say no.
Bree didn’t say no. She’d lived in a miserable fog for too long. It was as if Alessandro’s hands on her, his body on hers was the only thing that sent her blood pumping.
She bit back a cry when his mouth took her nipple with delicious, sinful determination. Her sleeping son briefly tickled the edges of her lust hazed mind, and Bree pressed her lips tightly to keep quiet. Her pussy opened greedily, waiting, demanding. Her legs locked around Alessandro’s waist, drawing him closer. He angled his hips so that his cock could rub against her center.
“Brianna,” he groaned against the damp skin of her breast as his hand moved down her swollen belly, caressing it for a moment. They both stopped when a soft flutter responded to his touch. Alessandro met her gaze. “How beautiful to feel one’s own child,” He dropped a kiss to her belly. “I can’t wait to meet you, my baby,”
Oh, God, he was killing her. Her pussy actually gushed a little at the sweet passion in his voice.
Bree wrapped herself in the warmth of his words and the love in his eyes.
At the considerable impediment, he had to pull back. His fingers caressed the soaked petals of her pussy, and he looked up at her hesitantly. “I’m not…sure…If I…well, is it gonna hurt the baby?”
“No. No it won’t. Please…” Bree sighed greedily for his finger to push into her.
He slid a finger into her, and Bree arched backwards so that she was practically laying on the island. He moved slowly, rubbing her clitoris in slow circles.
“Alessandro,” she sighed, putting all of her love and desire into that one name.
He gave a short chuckle as he pumped his finger. “It feels like I’m saying hello to him,”