Title: Tattered & Bruised ( The Broadway Series #4)
Author: Allie York
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cori Sharpe: Single mom, fearless, perpetually loveless. With a daughter to raise and an ex-husband in prison, she wouldn’t have time for a man if she wanted one. When a tall, sexy, and tatted single dad shows up in ballet class with his daughter, Cori’s idea about men starts to shift. The more time she spends with Griffin and his daughter, the less she fears trying her hand at love again.
Griffin Steele: Single dad, inked, badass. Since a daughter he never knew was dropped in his lap, life as he knew it was flipped upside down. Instead of late nights with lose women, he’s home in time for bedtime stories. As his priorities shift from fun to family, he finds himself falling for Cori and her spunky daughter who seem to pull his own child out of her shell a little more with each meeting. All he needs is to convince Cori that one family together is better than two apart.
Forever & Again
Secrets & Admirers
Allie is a mom, wife, and dog groomer by day. At night she is posted on her laptop writing contemporary romance. She has a soft spot for gooey romance, over-creamed coffee, and anything cute and furry.
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I was in love with the boy. I’m obsessed with the man. Logan is my older brother’s best friend. My teenage years were spent dreaming about our future together. He taught me how to kiss. He stayed up late with me while I studied. He escorted me to the prom. But he is one of the Screw Crew and they only have one rule. I’m off limits. I went to college and he started working. The secret messages stopped and I lost my first love before it even had a chance. I’ve spent the past four years trying to forget the only man I’ll ever love. Just as I start to make a life for myself, guess who comes barging back into my life? Feeling dejected I walk to my room. I hate being the odd one out. Nicole didn’t stop gushing about her first kiss with Derek. Soon all the girls were comparing their kissing experiences and all I could do was hope no one would notice that I had nothing to say. “Hey, did you have a bad day?” My head snaps up at hearing Logan’s question. My heart skips a beat like it always does whenever he’s around. “It’s nothing. Did you all skip class again?” I ask, wondering why they’re here so early on a Friday afternoon. “No, it was cancelled. There’s a game tonight.” Logan tilts his head and his eyes search my face. When he looks at me like that I can almost pretend he might see the real me. “Want to talk about it?” I want to talk to him but not about what happened today, so instead of answering I just shrug. I walk into my room and drop my bag on the floor. Logan comes in and I’m surprised when he sits down on my bed. Suddenly I’m nervous as hell and all I can do is stand like a pillar of salt while awkwardly wondering if he would think it’s weird if I sit next to him. “Talk to me, Mia. I might be able to help and worse case I can listen.” My thoughts go back to how stupid I felt while the girls were all laughing. Secure in the knowledge that Logan has no idea how I feel about him, I look down at my feet and mumble, “I haven’t kissed anyone yet and today all my friends were talking about their first kisses. It felt like …” I let the words trail away, too embarrassed to continue. “You felt like?” Logan stands up and walks to where I am. When I don’t answer him, he gently places a finger under my chin and lifts my face so I have to look at him. “It felt like …” I swallow hard, feeling more sad than embarrassed that I’m having this conversation with Logan. “I’m fat and ugly. I know that’s why none of the guys will even look at me. Today it just felt like it was out there for everyone to see.” Logan leans around me and he shuts the door. I glance at the closed door and then look back to him, a thankful smile on my face. I didn’t even think about the other guys being in the house. I don’t want them to hear about my day. When Logan tucks some hair behind my ear my heart flutters. I have such a huge crush on him. “You’re not fat and you sure as hell aren’t ugly, Mia.” I try to keep the smile on my face and nod. Of course, he’ll say that. I’m Rhett’s baby sister. “Don’t do that.” He brings both his hands to my neck and with his palms he nudges my jaw so I’ll look up again. “It’s okay. It just sucks that I don’t know how to kiss. What if I meet a guy who wants to kiss me and I mess it up?” “Is that what’s really bothering you?” He’s so patient with me that it warms my heart. “Yeah. I don’t want to look like an idiot.” I can see he’s thinking hard about something, but I’m not complaining because his hands are still on my neck. I love it when he touches me. I resist the urge to close my eyes so I can just bask in the feel of his hands on me. “Do you want to learn how to kiss?” I think about his question, not sure what he’s actually asking me. “It’s not like I can go for lessons somewhere,” I whisper. “I can show you.” For a second I can only stare at him. Did he just offer to teach me how to kiss? I have to remind myself to breathe as excitement rushes through my body. I nod and almost stutter, “Would you be okay with that?” I’m so thankful when the words come out sounding normal. He drops his hands from my neck and smiles. It’s not his usual friendly smile. This time there’s a softness to it that actually makes me feel more nervous. “Of course I’m okay with it.” Duh … I want to kick myself. Logan’s just offering to help because he’s friends with Rhett. It’s not like it means anything to him. It doesn’t stop me from feeling excited. Even if it means nothing to him, it will still be a dream come true for me. When he takes a step closer to me and places a hand on the back of my neck, my mouth instantly goes bone dry. My whole body tenses as I wait for his next move. “It’s normal to feel nervous when you’re about to kiss someone for the first time, but try to relax. If you worry too much about it you’ll end up missing out on the whole experience.” I nod, unable to form any coherent words right now. Tilting his head to the right, he leans closer until I can feel his breath on my lips. I stop breathing and stare at his mouth as if it holds the answer to all the mysteries of the universe. My insides are quivering with nerves and I can feel my hands shaking. My heart is beating so loudly it’s all I can hear. Slowly he closes the distance until his lips press softly against mine. Everything stops. The loud thumping in my ears, the quivering inside of me, and even the shaking of my hands. There’s only the perfect silence surrounding us as I feel the warmth of his lips on my own. I jerk when I feel his tongue on my bottom lip. I didn’t expect it and I flush bright red when he pulls away from me. “I’m sorry,” I blurt out, both embarrassed and sad that I ruined the moment. Logan shakes his head as a sexy smile plays around his mouth. “There’s nothing to be sorry about,” he says in a low tone that makes the quivering return with force. “This time open your mouth slightly and focus on what I do.” Again I can only nod, ecstatic that he’s going to kiss me again. This time he moves much quicker. He brushes his lips against mine as he takes a step that presses his body right up against me. It’s a sensory overload as I try to take in what his body and mouth feel like all at once. His tongue traces my bottom lip again and I almost don’t remember to open my mouth. When my lips part he slips his tongue into my mouth and it makes tingles explode in my stomach. It’s so overwhelming that I can’t focus on anything. He starts to caress my tongue with his own which makes my hands grab at his sides so I have something to hold onto or else I’ll drop to the floor. Softly, he bites my bottom lip and I take a shuddering breath in response to the incredible feelings engulfing every part of me. He brings his other hand to my jaw and with his body he pushes me back until I’m up against the wall. This time when his tongue slips into my mouth, I’m not as overwhelmed and I try to mimic his movements. Soon I’m so lost in kissing Logan that I forget it’s not real. I move one hand up his body until I reach his neck, and I drink in the feel of his skin under my fingertips. This moment is everything … it’s heaven. It’s over too soon as he starts to pull away, pressing one last soft kiss to my tingling lips. He pulls me into a tight hug and whispers, “You’re beautiful, Mia, and you’re going to make some lucky bastard very happy.” Michelle Horst is a Bestselling Romance Author who likes her books hot, dirty, and with a touch of darkness. She loves an alpha hero who is not scared to fight for his woman. Want to be up to date with what’s happening in Michelle’s world? Sign up to receive the latest news on her alpha hero releases, sales, and great giveaways → http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P Title: Reckless
Author: Michelle Horst
Genre: Romance
I was in love with the boy. I’m obsessed with the man. Logan is my older brother’s best friend. My teenage years were spent dreaming about our future together.
He taught me how to kiss. He stayed up late with me while I studied. He escorted me to the prom. But he is one of the Screw Crew and they only have one rule. I’m off limits.
I went to college and he started working. The secret messages stopped and I lost my first love before it even had a chance. I’ve spent the past four years trying to forget the only man I’ll ever love. Just as I start to make a life for myself, guess who comes barging back into my life?
Michelle Horst is a Bestselling Romance Author who likes her books hot, dirty, and with a touch of darkness. She loves an alpha hero who is not scared to fight for his woman.
Want to be up to date with what’s happening in Michelle’s world? Sign up to receive the latest news on her alpha hero releases, sales, and great giveaways → http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P
Title: Sweet Crazy Song
Author: Vivian Lux
Genre: Contemporary Romance
I'm not Prince Charming, baby. I'm a King.I’m the country’s hottest rock star. She's my little sister’s best friend. I left everybody in the past when I left Crown Creek, and I never want to go back. Too bad—I have one last obligation to take care of before I can leave this town behind forever. I’m not planning on running into her in the parking lot. And now? Now, she’s all grown up. She’s a gorgeous spitfire and I want her the moment I see her. The only problem? She can’t stand the sight of me...for good reason. Still—there’s one thing I know. Even your mortal enemy can become your lover if you sing the right tune...
FREE
Vivian Lux loves bad boys who are good men. She lives in Upstate New York with her adorable twin boys and model-hot husband. When she isn't writing, she's reading. If she isn't reading, she'd like to be hiking but is more likely dealing with the mountain of laundry that piled up while she was writing and reading.
Title: The Raw Touch
Author: Serena Akeroyd
Touch. The simplest form of communication. For some, the most complex. Undercover cop, Lucia has more secrets than a rat's nest. She works the beat, works it well, until she infiltrates a gang where she finally finds her place. Jungle justice suits her down to a tee, but the day comes when she has to return to her real life, and brothers in arms suddenly become enemies, as she flounders to find her place in the world once more. Martinez, a gang boss, one of the most powerful men in the city, has had his eyes on Lucia from the start. His instincts told him she was the rat in his midst, but other, baser, parts of him swayed his judgment. When his brother is sent down thanks to Lucia's testimony, he can think only of revenge. When a woman who can't stand to be touched has to fight for her life in the bed of a man who can kill her in the blink of an eye, everything, even reality, unravels. On the run, her past as a cop and footsoldier chasing at her heels, Lucia's safety lies in the hands of the one man who can and will hurt her the most. Through his raw touch, she has to find a haven where all around her, there is nothing but hell. Can she allow him into the ashes of her life, if it means her survival is at risk? Find out in The Raw Touch. Reader Advisory: this full-length novel contains scenes of dubious consent, as well as information that readers might find upsetting.
Serena Akeroyd is a romanceaholic. She won’t touch a book unless she knows there’s a happy ever after at the end of it. Pathetic as it may be, because of this addiction, Serena decided to craft her own tales, stories that suit her voracious need for sexy romance. After all, a love story ain’t a lurve story without a bit of naughty! A citizen of the world, Serena is a nomad at heart, and her novels enable her to travel the globe and all behind her computer desk. Naturally, she’d prefer the option of a private jet, but still, if wishes were horses, eh? Always feel free to connect with Serena, she’d love to chat with her readers, as well as fellow romance addicts!
Title: Sexy Bad Boss (Sexy bad Series #3)
Authors: Misti Murphy & Tami Lund
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Booming Covers
James Frost is all work and no play. He’s made billions as the CEO of Frost, Inc. He can broker a deal between two pissed off Irishmen and the devil, and still walk away with a smile and not a wrinkle in his Armani suit. As his assistant, I’m faced with his dashing presence every day. Can you blame a gal for having a crush? So when he asks me to help him find his perfect woman, I throw myself at him. Only James Frost would never mix business with pleasure. He’s never looked at me in that way. I’m so mortified, I quit on the spot. But a freak accident leaves him with a few broken bones and amnesia, and me with a dilemma. I’m playing nursemaid, at his beck and call, until my two weeks’ notice is up. And that raise I never thought I would get from him might be on the table after all. But how far am I willing to go before my pride demands I cut bait and move back home to London?
(Sexy Bad Series #1)
(Sexy Bad Series #2)
Misti Murphy & Tami Lund They live on opposite sides of the world, but an eighteen-hour time difference doesn't stop these two obsessed authors. They write, they debate over storylines, they thoroughly enjoy the process of gazing at hot men while trying to come up with cover ideas, they fall in and out of love with their characters, and at the end of the day (which day is anybody's guess), they create sexy bad books for your reading pleasure.
Title: Wild Talk
Author: Dani Antoinette
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Dani Antoinette
Madeline
When life hands you lemons, you cut them open and squirt them in life’s eyes, right? Graduating from college and moving to Chicago was part of the plan. Becoming a phone sex operator was not. But you know what? I’m loving every minute of it. Until I run into Mason King—literally—and he turns my world upside down.
Mason
Every coin has two sides. Right and wrong, truth and lies. It’s my job to figure out which side she’s on. She’s sweet yet sassy, angelic yet a liar. Is she as innocent as she makes herself out to be? Or a clever thief?
Get your game face on, Mason, it’s showtime.
The bulge in my pants had not budged. I stood up as Ms. Lewis rang, alerting me to the visitor I had waiting. Miss St. Clair. I told Ms. Lewis to wait thirty seconds and send her in. I went to my private bathroom and shut the door, willing my erection to go away.
Old people having sex.
A truck stop bathroom.
“Hello?” I heard Madeline through my door. “Is anyone here?”
I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the bathroom door.
Madeline underneath me, Madeline on top of me.
I opened one eye and looked down at my crotch. It was still visible. I exhaled and stood up straight.
Tough shit, King.
I opened the door and found her leaning one hand against the window with her back to me. She had on shorts and a tank top. I cleared my throat and she startled. She turned to me, her eyes wide as she watched me approach her.
“If you get my window dirty, you will have to clean it,” I teased.
“You!” she grumbled. “You stole my planner?”
I took my hands out of my pockets and put them in front of me. “You didn’t lose it on purpose?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at me.
No bra.
“Why would I lose it on purpose?” she retorted. I walked closer, standing in front of her.
“To see me again?” I asked. I took a step closer, then another until her back was pressed against the window, boxing her in with my arms next to her head. I drank her in. She smelled like the beach and pineapples and I wondered if she tasted that way.
She uncrossed her arms and put her fingers behind her, pressing against the window. “Why would I want to see you again?” Her eyes roamed over my chest, not making eye contact.
“Look at me,” I coaxed. Her eyes made her way up my chest before resting on my lips for a millisecond then meeting my eyes. “See, not so bad, is it?” My lips curled into a grin.
Her eyes darkened as she took a step closer to me, an inch away from my chest. “Did you want a repeat of yesterday?” she purred. She trailed her fingers up my chest.
I raised my eyebrow at her.
Challenge accepted.
“Of you on top of me?”
She splayed her fingers against my chest and up to my shoulders, my chest burning underneath her touch. I moved my right hand down to her waist and pulled her close against me. I drank in the sight of her tongue darting out, moistening her lips as her chest pressed against mine. She brought her hand up and rested it on the back of my neck. Her fingers were soft as she played with my hair. I held my breath as she pulled my head down, her lips an inch away from my ear.
“No, of me kicking your ass.” She pulled my hair back and lifted her knee, aiming for my groin.
I was ready for her this time. I moved my arm under her raised knee and lifted her up to straddle me, her butt pressed against the window. Her face registered surprise as she looked down, her legs wrapped around me, my erection pressed against her. There was no way it was going down. Not now.
“Put me down, you animal!” she sputtered, pushing against my chest.
“Easy, tiger, you started it.” I laughed and lowered her body.
A total bookworm and a hopeless romantic, Dani Antoinette likes to write the kind of stories she loves to read—stories about hot alpha males who embrace the thin line between right and wrong, and the strong, fearless women who are able to handle them. When Dani isn’t devouring books by her favorite authors at her local café in downtown Chicago, she spends her time interviewing prospective characters out loud in public places, all while planning her takeover of the romance world.
Titles: All & Nothing
Forever & Again
Secrets & Admirers
Author: Allie York
Series: The Broadway Series
Genre: Contemporary Romance
(All & Nothing) book one
Jovie Reed isn’t looking for a guy. Between running her business and attempting to pen a best-selling novel, she doesn’t have the time or energy for the romance she writes about.
Ewan Alexander has one woman in his life after a tragic accident left them alone—his little sister, Amelia. Raising a teenager is enough work without the hassle of adding in a relationship. But then his disobedient dog, Clark, crashes into Jovie, a dog trainer, and their attraction is immediate. Despite their reservations, Jovie and Ewan fall victim to the chemistry between them and the relationship heats up quickly. The couple, along with Amelia, ease into a comfortable rhythm until someone else changes the game. Someone deadly. And he wants Jovie.
(Forever & Again) book 2
Lydia Reed is a busy woman. Raising a pre-teen as a single mom is no easy task, but there really wasn't another option. Jacob Teller's life has not turned out as planned. Losing his mother, his apartment, and discovering his wife has been unfaithful sends him back to his home town. A chance run-in brings Lydia's world crashing down while bringing Jacob the hope of a family he never realized he was missing. But life and emotions are never simple and are always messy. Obstacle after obstacle threatens to tear them apart while Jacob fights for his family and Lydia battles her heart and mind as they engage in a vicious game of tug-of-war
(Secrets & Admirers) book 3
Briggs Layton is the underdog, always has been, but coming in four minutes behind his brother, Beck, has never bothered him. Briggs being burned, literally and figuratively by Beck is a different story. With a failed almost marriage, a sick mother, and a party-boy brother, Briggs goes through life in a bit of a haze. Work, home, and taking notes about everything he observes takes up all his time. Until he sees her.
Harriet Wolfe is homeless, loveless, and alone. And all in one week. What else is a girl to do when life kicks her down again? She starts over. With a couple of bags, a scrap of paper reminding her where to turn, and one friend across the country, Harriet gets on a bus and doesn’t look back. A fresh start far away from her former life is just what she needs. She quickly makes a family of her own with new friends, but one notebook and a dark cloud from her past threaten to tear it all apart.
All & Nothing
Forever & Again
Secrets & Admirers
Allie is a mom, wife, and dog groomer by day. At night she is posted on her laptop writing contemporary romance. She has a soft spot for gooey romance, over-creamed coffee, and anything cute and furry.
Title: Mancave: Epilogue to Caveman
Author: Jo Raven
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Photographer: Eric Battershell
Model: Nick Bennett
Two years ago, Octavia met her caveman, Matt Hansen, and fell in love. Since then, life has found its rhythm and it’s a good one. Matt and his brother Kaden have opened their own car repair shop—Mancave—and Octavia is expecting her first child. But not everything is perfect in paradise. Mary, Matt’s young daughter, has started having nightmares, Octavia’s sister Gigi is having boy trouble, and Merc, their brother, trouble with girls. Then Evan, Matt’s best buddy back in Destiny, asks for help after an accident—and the trip turns complicated when Octavia makes it her mission to locate and save her half-brother Ross from himself. Octavia wants everyone around her to be happy. Matt is determined to safeguard their family’s happy ending. One way or another, love will find a way… Author note: This is NOT a standalone novel. It is the epilogue to CAVEMAN and UNDONE. You need to read at least CAVEMAN before you read MANCAVE. Novel-length book.
Jo Raven is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, best known for her series Inked Brotherhood and Damage Control. She writes edgy, contemporary New Adult romance with sexy bad boys and strong-willed heroines. She writes about MME fighters and tattoo artists, dark pasts that bleed into the present, loyalty and raw emotion. Add to that breathtaking suspense, super-hot sex scenes and a happy ending, and you have a Jo Raven® story.
Find all her books here .
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Title: Alien Alphas
Twenty-Three Naughty Sci-Fi Romance Novellas
New York Times, USA Today
And International Bestselling Authors
Authors: Cari Silverwood, Cynthia Sax, Renee Rose, Lee Savino, Addison Cain,
Kallista Dane, Maren Smith, Ava Sinclair, Sue Lyndon, Emily Tilton, Ashe Barker, Korey Mae Johnson, Grace Goodwin, Ivy Barrett, Jane Henry, Jaye Peaches, Katie Douglas,
Lili Zander, Loki Renard, Maria Monroe, Megan Michaels, Myra Danvers, Sara Fields,
and Sophie Kisker
Fierce warriors.
Savage barbarians. Powerful warlords. All ready to claim their mates.
Alien Alphas is a collection of panty-melting sci-fi romances featuring dominant alien heroes, penned by New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors. This decadently naughty box set includes twenty-three ALL-NEW, stand-alone novellas full of hot alien alpha males, breathless passion, and reluctant surrender. Take an exhilarating trip beyond the stars with this limited time only bundle that’s sure to leave you turning the pages late into the night.
Strangeways by Addison Cain:
The first time he’d screwed me, he’d marched me through my door by the elbow. Dirty uniform aprons littering the floor had been ignored, the pair of us walking over abandoned pizza boxes and fast food wrappers. Once at my lumpy bed, he’d bent me forward, ass up, still clothed.
He’d told me to stay.
I’d never had a man talk to me like that… or flip up my skirt, pull my panties down, and inspect me. And that’s exactly what he’d done. Kneeling, he’d leaned up close, tracing his fingers down the shape of my labia. He’d spread them apart to look deeper, and… I should have been mortified.
It’s not like I had expected a tryst. Heck, I was sweaty after the morning shift and wearing an old pair of panties.
It didn’t matter. Phi had complimented my scent, shape, and even posture profusely.
And then he had thrust in, right there, just like that. Both of us dressed, my cheek to the mattress. Hell, I still had my shoes on.
And I… I had liked it.
It wasn’t until my first orgasm that he’d altered position, undressing us both, and laying me back to take me face to face like a lover.
That was the first time I’d seen his unclothed body… and the part of him he’d put inside me.
Absently as he’d slipped it back in, I’d wondered if they always started fucking an earth woman from behind… so we might know how good that thing could feel and not scream when it waved our way.
And it had felt good. Better than good.
No one in my past had ever gotten me so worked up. Maybe it was the fact Phi’s genitals could change shape. Maybe it was the ring of short waving tentacle-like protrusions around it that stimulated clitoris, labia… anus.
Maybe it was that he knew how to fuck.
The Ghost in the Stars by Sophie Kisker:
Keelie is getting a spanking from Siridin.
“How many more?” she asked, trying to steel herself.
“A question like that will get you spanked between the legs if you ever ask it again. And the answer will always be: until I feel like stopping.”
She whimpered. She gripped his leg hard as he resumed the stinging slaps. She abandoned her thin thread of control, pleading and struggling. He merely gripped her tighter and kept going, until she was sobbing out her apologies and promising to never disobey again.
At last it stopped.
“Shh…” he whispered as he stroked her back. “It’s over now. You did fine. And I know you’ll remember this lesson.”
“Yes, sir,” she hiccupped.
There was nothing angry in his tone. There was only gentle touching now. She was so confused, and it only made her weep harder. She didn’t know if he understood, but he turned her over and held her against his chest without saying anything.
Eventually her crying stopped.
“You did good. We’ll work on it.”
She shook her head. “I’m never going to do anything wrong ever again.”
He started to say something, then stopped, and instead helped her to stand. She looked down at his thighs and to her horror saw a huge wet spot right over the bulge on his trousers. She’d leaked during the spanking?
He followed her gaze and chuckled.
She was mortified. Horrified. She turned and ran into the fresher and slammed the door. She stripped off the shirt and turned on the shower and soaped and rinsed until there was no lubrication anywhere between her legs. Her humiliation was complete, and she vowed to stay in the shower for the rest of her life.
Draekon Rescue By Lee Savino:
EXCERPT 1
When you said mate in pairs,” I whisper, “did you mean what I think you did? Like all three of us at the same time?”
“Yes,” Tin says simply.
Oh God. Sex with two hot aliens. At once. Is it wrong that I’m intrigued? Turned on?
Stop it. Perv.
I cross my legs and press them together to relieve a faint prickle. The two Draekons are staring at me. I need to say something. Anything.
I volunteer as tribute.
EXCERPT 2
Tin’s expression softens. “Draekons transform once when they first recognize their mate,” he says. “After that, they need to claim her before they can transform at will.”
Claim their mate. Claim me.
“What does that mean? Are you going to bite my neck or something? Drain my blood under a full moon? Will you sparkle?” Okay, I might be getting just a tiny bit hysterical here.
Both men look confused. “To claim you, we will have sex with you,” Crothyr says. “At the same time.”
Dark Warlord by Cynthia Sax:
“Fighter Batu has vowed to protect the settlement.” Genine relayed that information, bracing for resistance. He was an unknown male, would soon kill her. Her friends wouldn’t like that.
“Fighter Batu is a monster.” Ema-974 spat on the white sand.
“Fighter Batu is an honorable warrior.” And he was a bit of the beast. Genine glanced at him. He waited alone, his sword in his right hand, a scowl on his primitive face. The male was ready for battle. That shouldn’t turn her on as much as it did. “You wouldn’t judge me harshly if I killed him in battle, would you?”
“No,” Ema-974 hastily answered. “You’re facing him so Ema-1006 won’t have to.”
“By taking her place, you’ve saved her lifespan.” Di-971 looked one wrong word away from bursting into tears. “We’ll be forever grateful to you.”
“Then don’t judge Fighter Batu harshly for killing me in battle.” Genine was a warrior. She knew she’d die with a weapon in her hands. Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword. It was smaller, lighter than Batu’s but the blade had inflicted its share of death. “It is my wish, my last wish, that he safeguard the settlement.”
Di-971 made a hurting sound.
“We will honor your wish.” Ema-974 lifted her chin. “But you could defeat him.”
“I won’t defeat him.” Genine watched as the victor of the previous battle exited the ring.
Once he was out of view of the audience, he rushed to a patch of sand, bent over, and vomited, that scent mixing with the aroma of urine and blood. Genine gazed at him with sympathy. First kills were always emotionally traumatic.
A scavenged ship panel had been modified to carry the losers out of the ring. The corpse was a crimson mess. The would-be warrior had been a mere solar cycle older than she’d been when she faced her first battle.
If her brothers hadn’t surrounded her, compensating for her errors, she would have met the same fate as the boy. She would have died on the battlefield.
Her brothers weren’t with her now and she was tired, so very tired of fighting alone. Her glance slid to Batu. She’d give him the show he requested, battling him and death with every part of her, but she accepted her future.
“You should leave.” She told the two females, not wanting them to see her die.
Di-971 sobbed.
“We’re staying.” Ema-974 insisted.
A horn sounded three times. The gates swung open. Genine hadn’t the time to argue with the females. The battle was starting.
Under Contract by Jaye Peaches:
He's not Oparian. He towers above the local guests with muscles that bulge in every direction. He's tinted his hair to fit in with the fair Oparians, however, his eyes are like black matter—bottomless pools of darkness. He continues to eyeball me, tracking my movements as I weave between people. I have this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach that his fascination with me isn't a good thing. I swallow hard, take a few steps backwards and try to put bodies between him and me.
Someone grabs my arm. “Kleo?”
It's Hort, one of the half-naked dancers I met at the last party. I vaguely remember dancing with him, and some other things I shouldn't have done.
I use him as a barricade. “Hort, let’s dance.”
We swirl into the centre of the vast room. I lose sight of the strange alien who's tracking me with his eyes. Feeling a relieved, I decide it's probably my overactive imagination. Unfortunately, Hort switches to a different partner, leaving me dancing alone.
My arm is targeted again. This time the hand doesn't let go when I turn. I jump. It's the black eyed alien.
“What the—”
“Kleo Nikara?”
I nod. My tongue cleaves to the roof of my mouth. He has a deep voice and stares at me down the end of his straight nose.
“I am Brax Trasker. I’m authorised to extract you.” He tugs on my arm. “Let’s go.”
I freeze to the spot. I could challenge him, but I know he’s telling the truth. An extraction is just the kind of thing Tyan would do to get me home.
“Don't play games with me, Kleo,” he growls.
“Or what?” I snap back. What could be possibly do that would have me scurrying along next to him?
“You really want to find out?” He loosens his grip a little. My confidence rises.
“Sure, go ahead. I don't think you'll do it.” I stick my chin out. So far, everyone nearby his unaware of our hushed conversation.
His fingers tightened again and he propels me towards the wall showing palm trees. He sits on a low chair and with a swift yank, pulls me towards him.
Before I can protest, he tosses me face down over his knee and flattens me down by pressing on my shoulders. When numerous pairs of feet turn to face our direction, I screech in alarm.
Promised to the Alien by Sue Lyndon:
He leaned down, until his face was level with hers. “I suggest you keep your opinion on the Earth-Tar-qua trade agreement to yourself, little human, unless you want to endure the strap on your wedding night. If I heard my mate speaking as you just did, I would punish her severely for disrespect. If not for the Tar-quans’ assistance, your dome cities on Earth would have perished long ago.”
Taken aback by his great size, she studied him for a moment. God, he was huge and muscular—intimidatingly so. Having glimpsed plenty of Tar-quans before, when they came to visit her dome city, she had not expected to see an alien this large here in the city, and she felt a stab of pity for whichever human woman found herself mated to this male. He was easily more than too heads taller than her, and aside from his size, this particular Tar-quan seemed overly stern.
An involuntary tingle raced across her bottom at the thought of enduring a punishment from the no-nonsense male who was glaring down at her. Despite her fear, her face heated and a sudden ache throbbed between her thighs. She quickly lowered her head, hoping he did not notice her blushing.
Sold to the Enemy by Sara Fields
His dark eyes found hers again, and she stilled. Despite her fear, her nipples hardened and her thighs shook, dampening with her arousal with every passing moment. Lifting her chin, she reminded herself to be courageous and brave, to represent Earth as a strong entity, no matter how it ended for her.
“Who are you?” she asked boldly, attempting to hide the shakiness in her voice by speaking as courageously as she could.
He smirked, narrowing his eyes back at her. His forehead wrinkled as he studied her, his eyes changing from a gray to a tumultuous red color.
“I’m only the leader of the Venassathi forces that you attacked. As such, I am well within my right to claim you. You see, my species has a special way to punish criminals. You’re to become my slave, to do with as I see fit,” he said softly but loud enough for her to hear plain as day.
Her eyes widened. He couldn’t be serious.
“Sold. Please, come claim what is yours, Commander Edagon,” said one of the aliens beside her.
Aubrie turned to run but saw nowhere to go. Clawed fingers reached out and grabbed her as another alien looped a long rope around her neck.
Gingerly, Edagon took the end of the rope in his hands and gently jerked her toward him. His strength knocked her completely off-balance and she fell into his arms. Then he grasped her chin, lifting it upward to face him.
Dark and stormy eyes met hers as he grinned at her.
“You’re mine now. I own you. Got it?”
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