Holiday Bound

An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Holiday Bound ISBN # 1-4199-0450-7 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Holiday Bound Copyright© 2005 Jaci Burton Edited by Briana St. James Cover design by Syneca. Photography by Dennis Roliff. Electronic book Publication: December 2005

This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 443103502. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

Warning: The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. Holiday Bound has been rated E–rotic by a minimum of three independent reviewers. Ellora’s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica™ reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (Erotic), and X (X-treme). S-ensuous love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination. E-rotic love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. In addition, some E-rated titles might contain fantasy material that some readers find objectionable, such as bondage, submission, same sex encounters, forced seductions, and so forth. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry; it is common, for instance, for an author to use words such as “fucking”, “cock”, “pussy”, and such within their work of literature. X-treme titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Unlike E-rated titles, stories designated with the letter X tend to contain controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart.

HOLIDAY BOUND

Jaci Burton

Dedication For Shan and Mel— Y’all rock at blurbage, babes. Thanks! And for Charlie, as always, my one true love.

Holiday Bound

Chapter One Maria Perez glanced at the note addressed to Santa Claus and knew right away who’d pulled a practical joke on her. Joan. She shook her head and searched the office. Figured the blonde tart would be in hiding. No doubt in the ladies’ room laughing her ass off. Okay, Joan. It’s a week before Christmas and I’m loaded with holiday spirit. I’ll play along. Otherwise I’d be kicking your butt right now. She moved the files on her desk screaming for her attention. She so didn’t have time for this. Five minutes was all she’d take for this ridiculous frivolity. The note was handwritten and Joan hadn’t even bothered to try and hide her telltale scrawl.

Dear Santa— My Christmas wish isn’t for myself this year. It’s for my best friend, Maria Perez. You see, Maria has a very special wish. She wants a tall, dark, handsome man to do wicked things to her. Things like handcuffing her, tying her up, spanking her and fulfilling every dark, delicious sexual fantasy she harbors in her naughty little mind. Please grant my wish, Santa, because my beautiful friend Maria is too stupid to go for it on her own. In fact, why don’t you give her that hot Detective Colin Maguire she’s been lusting after the past two years? You know who I’m talking about? The one who hangs out at her desk every time he stops in our office to retrieve a file or talk about a case? The one who looks at Maria as if he’d like to lick her all over like a candy cane? You see, Santa, everyone knows Colin has the hots for Maria and Maria wants Colin, but she won’t give him the time of day and Colin won’t make the first move, even though this little elf would wager Colin has just what it takes to fulfill Maria’s every perverted little wish.

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So what do you say, Santa? Shouldn’t this be the year someone makes Maria’s Christmas wishes come true? Your loyal elf, Joan

“What’s got you so hot and bothered?” Maria dropped the letter like it was on fire. The subject of the letter, as well as her every fantasy, leaned against her desk, looking down at her with his steely gray eyes and that sexy half-smile that never failed to wet her panties. Colin Maguire. Good God, timing was everything, wasn’t it? She shoved the letter into the stack of client files, mentally damning Joan for all eternity. Her friend was going to pay for this. “Nothing. Just a note that got me pretty heated.” Colin shook his head and shifted, perching on the edge of her desk. God he smelled good. Crisp, like he had just showered. Whatever soap he used should be outlawed because she wanted to bury her nose in his neck. Or maybe his crotch. Hell, anywhere in his general vicinity would be good. “You’ve got to stop taking every case personally, Maria. This job will eat you alive otherwise.” Switching her thoughts to something less libidinous, she said, “Someone has to take it personally, Colin. And if I don’t care about these women, then who will? The City of Los Angeles doesn’t care enough to see that these women’s husbands and boyfriends don’t beat them half to death. Nine times out of ten the guy is back on the street an hour after you arrest him. And then right back in the home beating the hell out of the woman who called the cops on them. Or worse.” Colin winced. “I know, babe. I’m doing the best I can.” Maria blew out a sigh of frustration. “I’m not blaming you. Your hands are tied just like mine.” She and Colin had this conversation regularly. Her job as a counselor for

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Domestic Violence Services and his as a detective thrust them together a lot. It also meant their cases weren’t often successful ones with happy endings. Which meant she needed to focus on her job and less on her nonexistent sex life. Damn that Joan, anyway. Maria had no business thinking about that kind of sex. Kinky, perverted, the kind of sex the women she counseled sometimes endured. What the hell was wrong with her, anyway? She was one sick puppy. “Earth to Maria. Are you in there?” “Huh?” Her face flamed as she realized Colin continued to stare at her. “I’m so sorry. My mind is elsewhere today.” Like in the gutter. “I need the Delgado file. DA said there’s talk of a plea bargain in return for counseling.” “Great. If he agrees to counseling we’re a step ahead of most of the assholes we deal with. Sylvia will breathe a sigh of relief when I tell her. Carl can be one mean son of a bitch when he’s drinking, but he’s an angel when he’s sober.” “He’s a mean son of a bitch who doesn’t want to do prison time. He likes to dish it out, but he’s scared as hell at the thought of taking it.” “One of those,” she said, rolling her eyes. She looked through the stack on her desk and pulled Sylvia’s file, handing it to him. He slipped it under his arm and nodded. “I’ll have it back to you tomorrow.” “No problem. I was just going to file it in pending anyway. Paperwork’s up to date.” “Great. I’ll see you then.” As usual, she couldn’t help but watch him walk away. The people who made those blue jeans ought to have Colin as their official spokesman. No man could do a pair of worn jeans justice like Colin Maguire. Tall, lean, with well-muscled thighs and a firm ass she’d sacrifice her pension to hold just once. Preferably while he was buried deep inside her pussy, pumping away and making her come until she screamed.

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God, she was so pathetic. “If you’re not careful, you’ll self-combust on the spot. And I don’t know where the broom is to sweep up the ashes.” “I hate you, Joan.” As much as she adored her best friend, sometimes Maria wished she hadn’t confided so many of her secret desires to Joan, especially the ones about Colin. “No you don’t. You love me. Who else knows all your deep, dark perverted secrets and loves you anyway?” She glared at Joan, shaking her head at the willowy blonde. Her short, spiky hair stood on end, reminding Maria of someone who’d had a severe fright. Maria and Joan were as incongruent as two people could be, Joan’s style more that of a free-spirited punk rocker and Maria’s as traditional as they came. Which was why Joan always tried to push Maria outside her comfort zone. But some things should remain fantasy only. Like Colin. And her sexual desires. “Like my note?” “You are one sick puppy. And Santa is not going to grant your wish this year.” Joan rolled her eyes. “Then Santa is a dickhead. Because if anyone needs to get laid in a big way, it’s you, honey.” Maria shuffled the files, assigning them according to action items. “Tell you what,” she said, watching Joan slide into the chair at the desk across from hers. “You get laid twice on Christmas, that way you can have one for me.” “We’re not talking about me. Besides, when was the last time you had sex, Maria?” It was a good thing the office was mostly deserted, otherwise her cheeks would be flaming red. But after working with Joan for the past four years, Maria had long ago given up embarrassment. Joan was a pushy prodding busybody, and her closest friend. “Sex is overrated,” Maria sniffed. “Only if you’re doing it wrong,” Joan countered. “So, it’s been that long, huh?”

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“Two years.” “For Santa’s sake, Maria. Go pick up a stud buddy and engage in some sport fucking. Any random guy with a cock will do.” “Not interested, thank you.” That was her problem. She didn’t just want anyone. And with her tastes, she couldn’t choose a random guy. God only knows what she’d end up with. Either unfulfilled or in deep trouble. She grabbed her planner and made up her schedule for tomorrow. Thank God for the holidays. Time to catch up on paperwork. Of course before long all hell would break loose and she’d have more clients than she could deal with. Something about Christmas brought out the animal in these bastards. “Honey, you’re gorgeous, so it can’t be because guys aren’t hitting on you. You have a Botticelli body. And your mouth. God, do you know much women pay plastic surgeons to get full lips like that? They just scream Hey, baby, I want to suck your dick. Hell, if I was a guy I’d be all over you like jelly on peanut butter.” Maria snorted. She’d really like to be appalled at Joan, but she just couldn’t be. Her friend made her laugh every day, and in their business, that was all too rare. “I had no idea you cared,” she said, batting her eyelashes at Joan. “Sorry, babe. I like cock and don’t swing that way. But if I did, you’d be my girl.” “Thanks. I think.” With a smile and a shake of her head, she dragged out the files she’d have to deal with tomorrow, hoping Joan would do the same and forget all about Christmas, Santa and perverted wishes best left to her private bedroom fantasies.

***** Colin plopped the files down on his coffee table and headed into the kitchen to grab a beer from the fridge. One baloney sandwich, pickle and pile of potato chips later, he was settled on the sofa, beer in hand, plate on the sofa and files in his lap. He flipped on the television to the Monday night football game and opened the first file, trying to catch up on paperwork and hoping to unwind after another brutal day. 9

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Sometimes he wondered why the hell he agreed to the domestic unit. Of all places. Then again, with four younger sisters, it didn’t surprise him in the least. Nothing burned his ass more than a man who beat up and assaulted someone smaller and defenseless. His sisters used to hate him when they were in high school and dating, claiming he browbeat and threatened every boy who’d gotten within a hundred yards of them. He grinned at the memories. Ah, the good old days. Now he couldn’t beat the shit out of perps for doing what they did. Most times their slick-ass attorneys got them off with a slap on the wrist and community service. Nine times out of ten he’d end up arresting them again, only the next time the pain they inflicted would be worse. Or, God forbid, they’d end up killing the victim. Bastards. Justice wasn’t just blind. Sometimes she was downright stupid. Three files, two beers and an empty plate later, he was down to his last file. The Delgado case he’d retrieved from Maria. He searched her notes on the case, scanning through her evaluation of Sylvia’s injuries and statement. Okay, not too bad. Carl Delgado was an asshole, but redeemable at least, which was more than he could say for most of the perps he dealt with. If Maria agreed, he’d give the go-ahead to the DA to do the deal for counseling in lieu of jail time. Colin was just about to close the file when a slip of paper slid onto the floor. He reached down and placed the paper on top of the file, then noticed it was handwritten and addressed to Santa. That was odd and seemed out of place. He scanned the first couple lines, then leaned back, pushing the contents of the Delgado file aside to read the entire letter. Holy shit! Holy fucking shit and a Christmas tree! He read the letter again. And again. After about five times, he had every word memorized. Maria hadn’t written this letter, because he knew her handwriting well. But he also recognized Joan Winston’s chicken scratch. A joke, maybe? Knowing Joan, yes, but was

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this what Maria had been reading and then hurriedly tried to hide, red-faced, when he’d stepped up to her desk today? How much of this was true? Did Maria really have fantasies about him? Did she want to be cuffed and spanked? Did she have wicked, naughty fantasies about being bound and disciplined? His dick twitched and began to harden, straining against his zipper as his mind went into full-fledged graphic visuals of Maria leaning over her desk, skirt raised over her hips while he pulled down her panties and bared her sweet ass for his inspection. Fuck, that was hot! He’d step back so he could view her pussy lips, hoping she was completely bare so he could see them glistening in the harsh light of her office. No, not glistening. Really fucking wet. Dripping with her juices and ready for his cock to slide between them. His balls tightened and he cupped them through his jeans, squeezing until he groaned. Sliding the beer onto the coffee table, he unzipped his jeans, pushing them down over his hips, then spread his legs and grasped his shaft, pumping it slowly while he closed his eyes and thought about Maria bent over her desk, waiting patiently for him. Christ, he’d never gotten so hot so fast before, but the visual of Maria had entered his mind and wouldn’t go away. He could even smell her, that sweet scent of jasmine that seemed to enter his senses whenever she was around. That’s the first thing he’d do after he looked at her. He’d move close up behind her and inhale her fragrance, coupled with the scent of her arousal. As wet as she’d be, he’d be able to smell the sweet musk of her pussy. He’d squat down and breathe her in, then swipe his tongue over her sex, bury his face in her pussy and make her shudder and scream, take her to the very edge but refuse to let her come. Not yet, anyway. Not until he was buried balls-deep inside her hot cunt. His shaft lurched against his hand, clearly eager to do just that. Heat emanated from his cock, making his hand sweat, providing lubrication to slide his hand up and down over the 11

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length. He lingered at the tip, using his thumb to spread the pearly essence gathered there over the dark purple head. He squeezed the soft tip, just like her pussy would when he pushed past her lips, making her beg for him to fuck her. But he’d wait, tormenting them both with anticipation. He’d make her tell him exactly what she wanted him to do to her, make her fuck back against him and slide her pussy over his dick until she took him all inside. He was thick, so it wouldn’t be easy. She’d cry out as she took every inch, and he’d swat her ass cheeks to encourage her to move. She’d shudder and whimper, driving his arousal even higher because he’d know how much she wanted it. As much as he did. As much as he’d been wanting it for too damn long. For years he’d dreamed of what it would be like to be buried inside Maria, to feel her slick, wet heat surrounding him, squeezing him, just like his hand gripped his cock right now. He felt the pulse in his balls as they tightened, readying for release, but he held back, thinking he’d pull out of Maria and force her to turn around and get down on her knees. He’d command her to suck him, taste her own cream on his cock, watching her full lips surround the head, stretching her mouth wide as she accepted him, taking every inch of him deeper and deeper until he was buried to the back of her throat. Then he’d hold her head and pump his cock between her lips, watching the head appear and disappear as her tongue swirled around the tip, taking him closer and closer to the edge. He moved his hand faster now, sweat pouring into his eyes, his breathing harsh and rapid. He’d pull her back to a standing position and force her over her desk again, positioning himself behind her and driving hard and deep. She’d scream, the sound ohso sweet mingled with the wet, sucking sounds of her pussy as it latched onto his cock and constricted, urging him to give her his cum. He couldn’t hold back. With a long groan he let his orgasm burst, showering his hand and stomach with thick ropes of cum. He panted as he jerked his shaft until there

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was nothing left but a few pearly drops lingering on the tip. He lay there for a few minutes, breathing heavily and enjoying the remnants of one hell of a good fantasy. After he cleaned up, he grabbed another beer from the fridge and flopped down on the couch, picking up the letter to Santa. So Maria had a Christmas wish, huh? Well, so did he. Something he’d wanted for a very long time. If he played it just right, they could both end up having a very Merry Christmas this year.

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Chapter Two As usual, Maria’s throat went dry the minute Colin entered the office and dropped the Delgado file on her desk. “Thanks,” she said, reaching for her coffee and taking a long swallow. “You talk to the DA?” “Yeah,” he said. “We’re a go for counseling.” “Great.” One down, way too many more to go. “Thanks for wrapping that up so fast.” “My pleasure.” She damn near shuddered at the sensual, dark tone in his voice, deciding to make notes in the Delgado file instead of gazing at Colin and letting her fantasies run wild in their usual perverted way. She thought they were finished, but Colin lingered, which was kind of odd since he usually breezed in and out, his caseload worse than hers. “So, you going to the Domestic Violence holiday benefit?” he asked. Her gaze shot to his. “Me? No.” “Why not? Everyone from the services is invited and it’s a fantastic fundraiser.” “I know. But I figured I’d just, ah, work or something. Leave the fundraising to the fat cats.” His handcuffs jingled against his belt. Nothing turned her on more than a cop and all his hardware. Handcuffs, holster and one badass forty-caliber visible as his jacket gaped open. She swallowed hard as her throat went dry. Really, Maria, you have got to get over this. Thank God Joan was off today or Maria would never hear the end of it. Again.

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“Maria, you of all people know how important it is to convince those so-called fat cats to donate money. Posters and pamphlets aren’t going to get the job done. We need you there to tell them what it’s really like. Give them the gritty, realistic stories of domestic violence and sex crimes against women. You have to go.” She wrinkled her nose and looked down at her files. “I hate that kind of thing. I’m not in public relations, Colin.” “Then go with me. As a favor. Because I have to go and I hate to go to these things alone. It would be nice to have a friend with me.” If her throat went dry the minute he walked in, it was a veritable desert now. Go with Colin? Like, as in a date? No, he said a friend. That’s all she was to him. Just a friend. “Are you serious?” “Why not? It’s Christmas. Think of it as your gift to me.” “It’s too far away.” “We’ll get a room.” At her look of wide-eyed shock, he corrected with, “Two rooms, I mean.” “At that hotel? No, that’s too expensive.” He rolled his eyes. “Now you’re being purposely difficult. I’ll book two rooms. I’m trustworthy, honest.” “I trust you more than any man I’ve ever known, Colin,” she said, then immediately regretted it. Way too personal. “Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment. Now say you’ll go with me. Think of it as the best Christmas party ever. We’ll dress up, enjoy the expensive food and drink and not have to worry about driving home.” She regarded him for a few moments, wondering if she could really do this. Now she really wished Joan was here today, though she already knew what her friend would tell her to do. Go for it. “Okay, but only if you let me buy you breakfast the next morning.”

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He grinned. “You’re on. I’ll make all the arrangements. Give me your home address and I’ll pick you up Friday night. No sense both of us wasting gas and I’ll use the company car.” “Okay.” Her hands were shaking as she jotted down her address. Silly woman. It’s not a date. Yet the telltale tremble was still evident, at least to her, as she handed the sheet of paper to Colin. “Thanks. I’ll pick you up at six-thirty.” “Great.” He sailed off and she sat there staring at the empty doorway. Not great. She didn’t have anything to wear to a black-tie affair, panic was already setting in. She was going to spend the night at the same hotel with Colin Maguire. She didn’t know what to wear. She hated these public events, they were so out of her league. She felt…out of sorts in so many different ways. Oh, why hadn’t she just said no thank you? Much as she hated to do it, she picked up the phone and dialed Joan’s number.

***** “I’m going to throw up.” Joan laughed and rolled her eyes. “You are not. Women who look as hot as you do not throw up.” “I do not look hot.” “Yes, you do. Turn around and look in the mirror.” “I don’t want to.” “Baby.” “Bitch.” “Love you too, honey. Now turn around and look at the masterpiece I’ve created.” Maria cocked a brow at Joan. “You have a pierced eyebrow and porcupine hair. I hardly think you made me look like Catherine Zeta-Jones.” Joan pouted. “You wound me. I’m a genius. Trust me and turn around.” 16

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She did, but she kept her eyes closed, then felt stupid. What difference did it make anyway? As long as Joan hadn’t made her up to look like a goth prom queen, she could get through tonight. Opening her eyes, her jaw dropped as she surveyed herself in the mirror. “Holy shit.” “You’re welcome,” Joan said behind her, smiling smugly. Her long, normally blah dark hair gleamed like starry midnight. It was pulled halfway up, curling ringlets falling over her shoulders. Instead of her usual no-makeup look, Joan had applied a subtle amount of eye shadow, mascara, blush and lipstick, making her look sexy but not trashy. And wow, her lips looked full and pouty like a fashion model’s. The dress Joan made her buy when they dashed out to the mall yesterday was damn near scandalous, but Joan insisted it was more than appropriate for the Christmas benefit. Black velvet, above the knee, with a deep décolletage, it had thin spaghetti straps of rhinestones, the only thing holding up the bodice. The dress hugged her curves, making her waist look small, her boobs look huge and her hips look…damned womanly. Add the garter belt, stockings and “fuck-me” shoes and she was decked to the nines. “Wow.” “Yes. Like I said, babe. Hot stuff. So when Colin propositions you, tear off his clothes, tell him you want to be tied, spread-eagled, to the bed, and let him give you exactly what you’ve been craving.” Maria laughed and shook her head. “Not on your life, sister.” “Coward.” “You got it.” “He wants you.”

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“He does not.” “It’s Christmas, Maria. And you need to live. Don’t be so afraid of your sexuality.” “It’s perverted, Joan.” Joan grabbed the shawl and draped it over Maria’s shoulders, letting her hands linger there. “There is absolutely nothing perverted about you or your sexual desires. As long as it’s between two consenting adults, whatever floats your boat is gravy, honey.” “I don’t agree.” Joan sighed. “I know. That’s why you’re terminally horny.” The doorbell rang and Maria’s heart lodged in her throat. “Oh God, he’s here.” Joan ran over and flung the door open. “Well, dayum, Maguire, don’t you clean up well.” Clean up was an understatement. In blue jeans and polo shirt, he was devastatingly handsome. In a tux, he made her legs turn to jelly. “Thanks, Joan. You’re pretty hot stuff yourself,” he said, winking at her. “And you’re full of shit,” she said with a grin. Turning to Maria, she said, “Have fun, okay?” She blew a kiss and sailed out the door, leaving Maria alone with Colin. “You ready?” he asked, stepping in her living room. He was so…big. God, she couldn’t believe he stood in her living room. How often had she lay draped across her sofa, legs spread, fingers buried in her pussy, mind drenched in fantasy of Colin fucking her, demanding things of her. Wicked, dark things that made her cheeks burn and her pussy throb with need. She handed him her bag and said, “Yes. Let’s go.” This wasn’t the first time she’d been somewhere alone with Colin. They’d gone out to a victim’s house together before, but somehow tonight was…different. Not a date, Maria. Remember?

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Right. Not a date. Just friends. “You look really nice,” she said, then cringed at how inept she was at making small talk. Then again, if she said what she really wanted to say to him, he’d be appalled. You look so goddamned hot I want to take your bow tie off with my teeth for starters, then lick every inch of your body until you command me to pleasure you. Yeah, that would go over well. He’d turn the car around and dump her at her front door, fast. “Thanks. And you take my breath away,” he replied, his gaze sweeping over her face and body. Was it her imagination, or did his eyes linger on her breasts and legs? Wishful thinking, no doubt. She smiled and prayed the night ended early. Maybe he’d find some hot babe to hit on and she could slink off to her room. Fortunately, he asked her about a case file and the rest of the drive was spent on work talk. That part was easy and seemed a lot more normal. By the time Colin pulled up in front of the hotel, she hadn’t realized how long they’d been talking. The ballroom where the gala was taking place was enormous, and once again Maria felt out of her league. She was the daughter of immigrants, raised in the poor part of Los Angeles. She lived in a modest, one-bedroom apartment filled with secondhand furniture. This was Beverly Hills, for God’s sake. But when Colin stepped around to her side of the car and placed his hand at the small of her back, the warmth she felt there comforted her. And disturbed her at the same time. “Relax. You’re gorgeous and you look like a movie star.” “Shut up. I do not,” she said, laughing. “Yeah, you do. Good thing I’m wearing my gun. I’ll probably have to fight off tons of men tonight to save your honor.”

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If he kept whispering in her ear like that, he’d have to use his gun to fight her off. She shivered when his lips made contact with her earlobe. It was going to be a long night.

***** Just as Colin had expected, Maria was the center of attention. He grabbed two flutes of champagne and pushed his way through the throng of people clamoring for her attention. She had no idea how alluring she was. And not just her beauty, though she damn well knocked his socks off when he’d stepped through her front door tonight, rendering him idiotically speechless. Her hair was pulled back off the sides, long raven ringlets falling down her back. A clip of sparkling rhinestones was attached to her hair. The woman glittered, and it wasn’t just her hair adornment. And, God, that dress. Soft black velvet clung to her curves. He itched to touch her, to sweep his hand down her bare arms and see if her skin was as soft as it looked, then rest his palm on her hip, squeeze the globes of her ass and draw her against his rapidly growing hard-on. Thank God for long tux coats. He’d been in misery for hours just watching her work the room. What he found exceptionally beautiful about her was her passion for her work. Despite her trepidation about coming tonight, as soon as everyone discovered who she worked for, she’d been barraged by questions and concerns, and handled the crowd with her typical grace and intelligence. He’d wager the benefit tonight would gross more money than it had in years. Maria had charmed them all. In fact, he’d had a difficult time getting a minute alone with her. But that was about to change. It was close to midnight and the gala was almost over. He had a Christmas wish to fulfill and he was going to start granting that wish very soon.

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Chapter Three Maria was exhilarated and filled with hope, something that didn’t happen too often in her line of work. Not only had she received pledges of financial assistance from very prominent and well-to-do patrons, but a genuine concern for what was going on in the poorer areas of Los Angeles and a vow to help make changes and bring resources to her jurisdiction. Now if they put their money where their mouths were, she’d be ecstatic. Finally, the crowds around her eased and she searched the ballroom for Colin, realizing he’d left her alone. She hoped he wasn’t angry that so much of her time had been monopolized tonight. She missed him. Which was stupid, of course, since he hadn’t brought her as a date. “Looking for someone?” She smiled and turned around, accepting the glass of champagne he handed her. God, he looked edible in that tux. “Thank you. Where have you been?” “Standing on the outskirts watching you.” Her face warmed. “Watching me?” “Yes. You did a great job talking about the county’s services and needs.” She shrugged. “I was just honest. And they were all very nice people.” “With a lot of money. Hopefully they’ll put it to good use.” “I hope so.” She sipped the champagne, wrinkling her nose when the bubbles tickled, finally able to relax and look around. The place was packed, wall-to-wall important people and celebrities. A live band played beautiful music, the food was fabulous and she was standing there with the man of her fantasies. All in all, a pretty good night.

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“Would you like to dance?” Her eyes widened. “Uh, sure.” He took the glass from her hands and placed it on a nearby table, then reached for her hand, leading her onto the dance floor and pulling her into his arms. Her breath caught when her breasts met the rock-hard wall of his chest. She tilted her head back to look into his dark eyes. “You feel good against me.” “Colin, I—” “Did you ever have a secret wish, Maria?” Oh God. She couldn’t breathe. Her throat constricted and her heart pounded against her chest. “A…secret wish?” “Yeah. Something you wanted but you didn’t want anyone to know?” “I don’t know. Not really,” she lied. The music was slow, soft, as intoxicating as the man holding her in his arms. This whole night was surreal, especially this conversation. “C’mon, Maria. I’ll tell you my secret if you tell me yours. It’s Christmas, after all.” And no way in hell would she ever tell him what she really wanted. He’d think she was sick and twisted. “I don’t think so. I don’t really want anything.” He arched a brow. “Nothing? You have no secret fantasies? Hell, I have tons of them.” “You do?” “Yes. You want to hear one of them?” No, she wanted to hear all of them. In graphic detail. “Sure.” “I’ve been dying to kiss you ever since I walked into your house tonight.” Her knees turned to jelly. If Colin didn’t have such a firm hold on her body, she’d have fallen into a puddle of liquid on the floor. He wanted to kiss her? Wow. She never

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even knew he was interested. “I thought you said this wasn’t a date,” she blurted, then winced. “I just said that to get you to come with me tonight. I want you, Maria. I’ve wanted you for years. I have a lot of secret wishes, and most of them revolve around you.” Where was that champagne? She needed to down the entire contents, then go for seconds. This couldn’t be happening. She had fallen, hit her head and was having a really incredible dream right now. “I don’t know what to say.” “Tell me what you want.” “I…I can’t.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell him her fantasies. Wanting to kiss someone was one thing. Her needs were a little…darker. He twirled her around the floor, drawing her closer. Her eyes widened when she felt the rigid length of his cock against her belly. Dear God, she was going to faint. Colin bent and whispered in her ear. “I’m hard as a goddamned rock, Maria. And if I know you like I think I know you, I’ll wager your panties are wet right now just thinking about fucking me.” The feel of his lips caressing her earlobe sent shivers down her spine. And he was right. God, he was right. Did he have some kind of sixth sense about her? Her panties were soaked, her pussy quaking with tremors. She trembled all over, whether from shock or desire she couldn’t say. She pulled back and searched his face. “This can’t be real.” His smile was wicked, not at all like the Colin she thought she knew. This Colin was hot, dangerous, the man she’d always wanted him to be. “It’s real, Maria. All you have to do is say the word and we’re outta here. The choice is yours.” Choice? What choice. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

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Colin took her hand and led her out of the ballroom without a word, taking the elevator up to the floor where their rooms were located. He took her to his room, opened the door and shut it behind him, then flipped on the light and turned to her, taking her hands in his. “I read Joan’s note to Santa.” Her eyes widened, embarrassment flaming her body. “You did? How?” “It was tucked inside a file.” She tried to push away but Colin wouldn’t let her go. “Thank God I found it or I might never have known you had the same desires I had.” Shock rooted her to the spot. “You…you do?” “Yeah, babe, I do. Here’s your choice. I want to make love to you. All night. In every way imaginable. I want to do things to you that you’ve only dreamed of. Wicked, nasty things. I want to fuck you in so many ways you’ll be screaming your head off and begging for more. I have very specific tastes, Maria. And I need a woman who wants the same things I do. If you want that, then I’ll grant your every wish. All you have to do is say yes.” Her panties flooded at his words. But could she do what he asked? Yes, she wanted what he offered. Colin was the answer to every one of her fantasies, and he’d just laid out everything she’d ever dreamed of. But could she grab the brass ring without regret? She looked at Colin, wondering why she even hesitated. He was sexy, drop-dead gorgeous and offering her a night she’d never forget. One night to fulfill all her fantasies. Then she’d hold onto those memories forever. She’d be insane not to take it, knowing a chance like this would never come again. Tomorrow she’d be professional, conservative Maria Perez again, pushing her deviant desires into the closet so no one would ever discover the kind of person she was. Say the word before you change your mind. You’ll never get this chance again. Colin was the answer to that idiot letter to Santa Joan wrote. Santa stood right in front of her now, ready to grant all her Christmas wishes. 24

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“Yes,” she whispered, heat searing her skin. Colin dragged her against him, one hand splayed across her back. His touch was fire against her skin, burning through the layers of clothing. “I’ve been waiting a lifetime for this,” he murmured, covering her lips with his. The kiss set off fireworks, explosions of desire she’d held too long in check. His lips were soft as they moved against hers, gently at first, then more insistent as he deepened the kiss and slid his tongue between her lips. Maria sighed and opened her mouth, tangling her tongue with his. She could barely breathe through the sizzling sensations of his hands roaming over her back, her hips, the way he seemed to possess her as he drew her tight against him. He groaned and clenched her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh. She welcomed the sensation. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth, demanding and more intoxicating than anything she’d ever experienced. This was a man who knew what he wanted. There wasn’t a second’s hesitation in the way he moved his hands over her body. Each touch captured her in a web of arousal and she fell further and further under his spell. He dragged his lips from her mouth and kissed her jaw, then moved to her neck, licking the wildly beating pulse at her throat. When he nipped the flesh at the juncture of her neck and shoulder, she moaned. He bit down again, this time harder, and she cried out at the exquisite pain. Colin turned her around so her back was against his chest. She reached up to wind her hands around his neck, but he pushed them down at her sides. “No,” he commanded, his voice gravelly and dark as he pulled her hands behind her back. “I’m going to touch you. I want you bound.” When she heard the familiar jingle of handcuffs, she swallowed hard and cream poured from her pussy. God, so arousing. He drew her wrists together and clamped the cuffs on them, clicking them closed. “Comfortable enough?” he whispered. 25

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“Yes,” she replied on a ragged breath. He caressed her shoulders, then wove a slow trail down her arms. “Your skin is so soft,” he said, murmuring against her neck. “It’s like sliding my hand under water. I’ll bet your pussy is just as supple.” She shuddered but stayed silent as he moved his fingertips across her collarbone, letting them rest on the swells of her breasts. Unable to control her breathing, she panted so hard she was afraid she was going to hyperventilate. She was certain Colin could feel the rapid thumps of her heartbeat against his palm as he slipped his hands into the bodice of her dress. “You have gorgeous breasts,” he said, moving his hands outside the dress and pulling the straps down her shoulders. He let them drape at her elbows, seemingly in no hurry to strip the dress from her body. “There’s something so sexy about a partially clad woman, especially one with such a sinful body like yours, Maria.” Drawing the bodice down to her waist, he left it there, then moved his hands to her breasts again, cupping them and circling the nipples. She wished she hadn’t worn a bra. As it was, she gasped at the contact even though a thin swath of lace separated his fingers from her nipples. “Your nipples are hard for me,” he said. “Is this turning you on?” “Yes,” she said, her voice sounding breathy and sexy and like a stranger’s. “Good. We’re just getting started. I want you hot, Maria. So damn hot you’re begging me to fuck you.” She’d never last that long. As it was, her clit throbbed like a pounding drum, her pussy juices soaked her panties through and with one touch of his hand down there she’d go off like rocket. She wasn’t even sure he’d have to touch her, she was so close to coming right now. Just feeling his hard cock pressed against the cheeks of her ass was enough to send her into orbit, imagining his shaft plunging between her swollen pussy lips and pumping away until he shot his cum deep inside her.

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And being handcuffed was more than she expected. How had he known what she needed? But she wanted more. Much, much more than this. And God help her, she had a feeling Colin knew exactly what she wanted. She hoped they stocked oxygen tanks in this hotel because she just might need them. Her breath caught and held when he pulled the skirt of her dress up, exposing her garter belt, stockings and oh-so-soaking-wet panties. When he cupped her sex, she cried out. “Shh, baby, take it easy.” “I can’t,” she whimpered, moaning when he rocked his palm against her pussy. She was on fire and close to orgasm. This was what she’d dreamed of and her reality far exceeded her fantasies. His hand was huge, hot, gently rubbing back and forth against the engorged nerve endings of her clit. “I need to come, Colin. Please.” “I know you do. But I want you to come in my mouth, Maria. Let me taste you.” God almighty, she was going to die on the spot. Colin turned her and maneuvered her against the wall, pushing her until her butt hit the cool paneling of the window ledge. “Sit here, baby,” he said, his voice dark as midnight. He bent down and lifted the bottom of her dress, then reached for the thin strips holding her panties together. She expected the slow slide of them down her legs, but was shocked when one quick tug later he ripped them from her. Cream poured down her thighs at the violent, arousing act. This is what she wanted from him. Damn him for knowing how much that would turn her on. “Spread your legs for me, Maria. Let me see your pussy.” She opened her legs, feeling wanton and nasty as she showed him her pussy. He looked at her cunt, smiled then met her gaze. “You’re so fucking wet and you smell like jasmine and hot pussy. You ready to come for me?”

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“Yes,” she whispered, her legs trembling. “Tell me what you want me to do to you, Maria.” His lips were inches from her cunt as he paused, his breath caressing her thigh. God, she wanted this so much. “Lick my pussy and make me come, Colin. Please.” He leaned in and licked the length of her. His tongue was hot, wet, the sensation so exquisite she lifted her ass off the window ledge and shrieked in pleasure. Blinding pulses arced from her breasts to her pussy to her clit as he lapped up her juices, then drew circles over her clit with his tongue. In seconds, she felt the orgasm build to a crescendo she had no hope of stopping. She wanted to wrap her hands in his hair and hold on. Despite the thrill of being bound, it made her crazy not to be able to touch him, to entwine her fingers with his, to caress his skin, to dig her nails into his flesh and let him know how crazy he made her. Instead she wound her legs around his head and cried out as the waves of her climax crashed over her. Demanding he take more of her, she pumped her pussy against his face. He licked her eagerly, sucking her clit as she came again, then relaxed, riding the wave of smaller pulses until they, too, subsided. Giving her no time to even catch her breath, Colin jerked her to a standing position. “There’s something I’ve been wanting,” he said, taking her into the office area of the hotel room and clearing the work table there. “It’s not quite the desk I had in mind, but it’s the best we can do under the circumstances. Bend over it.” His commands excited her, and despite the two quick, intense orgasms she’d just had, she was desperate to feel his cock buried inside her. Cool air greeted her as he threw her skirt over her back. “You have a luscious ass, Maria,” he said. “And that goddamned garter belt makes my cock so fucking hard I can’t stand it.” She smiled and spread her legs, wanting to show him how wet she was, how much she wanted him. She bit her lip, wanting to ask him to fuck her, to demand her pleasure, but unable to say the words. 28

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“Say it,” he said. “You want to, so say it. Tell me what you want, Maria. Don’t ever be afraid to tell me what you want.” She’d never been vocal about sex with any man. Then again she hadn’t really had that much sex in her lifetime. All her wicked, exciting experiences had been the product of her fantasies. Until now. “Say it!” She jerked when his hand came down on the bare cheek of her ass, moaning when her pussy spasmed in response. Oh God, that was so good. She arched her back and lifted her buttocks. He responded by smacking the other cheek. The sting was oh-so sweet. Her pussy clenched and spilled her juices. He leaned over her, licked her neck and bit lightly on her earlobe. “Tell me what you want, baby. I need to hear it.” Realizing he derived pleasure from hearing her voice, she said, “Fuck me, Colin. And do it hard.” Part of her couldn’t believe she’d said it, but another part of her thrilled to her own words. “I’ll give it to you hard, Maria. I know exactly how you want it.” She heard the zipper sliding open on his pants, anticipation soaring inside her when she heard the foil packet tearing. She waited while he applied the condom, anticipating the feel of his cock penetrating her. When his thighs brushed the backs of hers, she panted, expectation driving rapid breaths from her when his cock head probed between her pussy lips. She braced herself, then cried out when he slid inside her. He was so thick, stretching the walls of her pussy with painful pleasure. “Goddamn, Maria, you’re so fucking tight,” he said, letting out a groan of pure ecstasy that made her pussy clench around his shaft.

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He drew partway out, then slammed fully inside her. Tears came to her eyes at the delightful pain of his thrusts. He smoothed his hand over her ass, bringing it down with a stinging swat that made her cunt throb. Oh, this was heaven. “More,” she moaned. He spanked her again. “You like that, don’t you?” “Yes.” She bit down on her bottom lip, increasing the pain. So good. So very good. “More, Colin. Please.” And again, this time harder, along with the punishing drive of his cock, his balls slapping her clit. It was the sweetest torment to feel him buried inside her, to feel his hand on her ass. He unlocked the cuffs, releasing her hands. “Touch your clit for me, Maria. Make yourself come.” In a frenzy of lust and need, she reached between her legs and massaged the tight knot, rubbing it frantically as Colin powered his cock into her soaked pussy. His thrusts were so hard the front of her thighs banged against the desk, but she didn’t care. She wanted this pain, needed this pleasure more than she could ever explain. He gripped her hips tight, banging against her with a driving force. She strummed her clit and cried out, “Colin, I’m going to come!” Groaning, he tensed, digging his fingers into her hips as he came. She went with him, her pussy clamping around his cock as she rubbed her clit and orgasmed in waves of sensation that left her sweating and shaking all over. When she finally let go of the edge of the desk, she realized her fingers had cramped from holding on so hard. Colin withdrew and pulled her up, turning her around to take her mouth in a searing kiss. He pulled back, gracing her with a devilish grin. “I hope you’re not tired. We’re going to be at this all night.”

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Chapter Four The sexy gleam in Maria’s eyes had Colin’s cock lurching to life again. He wanted to make the most of their time together and give her everything she ever desired. “I can sleep when I’m dead,” she quipped. He laughed and swept her into his arms, carrying her into the bedroom. When he laid her on the bed, he felt a little guilty as he realized he hadn’t undressed her. Or himself, for that matter. “I got in kind of a hurry,” he said, looking down at her disheveled state. Damn, she was sexy. Her hair was in wild disarray, her dress pulled halfway down her arms. She still wore her bra, the top of her breasts spilling over, inviting him to rip that damn scrap of material off and seek out the treasures hidden underneath. “I don’t mind. I was in a hurry too,” she said, her voice still husky and breathless. She was everything he’d ever wanted and more. “I want you naked. Now. Undress for me,” he said, palming his cock through his pants. He ached for her. Would this feeling ever go away? He hoped not, couldn’t imagine it would. He’d wanted Maria for a very long time. She was sweet, innocent, a champion of the underdog that he admired greatly. And underneath her gentle exterior lay a smoldering sex vixen. She was the perfect woman for him. She moved to a kneeling position on the bed, her chin to her chest as she cast a blazing amber gaze at him. Her skin, so dark and sexy, glimmered under the soft lights as she drew the glittery straps of the dress down her arms, pushing the dress over her hips until it pooled at her knees. She reached behind her to unhook her bra. Colin held his breath, shuddering as she pulled the scrap of black lace away to reveal the globes of her breasts.

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Even her nipples were perfection. Round, dark like chocolate with pebbled nipples just begging for him to wrap his lips around and tug with his teeth. His mouth watered, his balls tightening. He squeezed his shaft and nodded for her to continue. Casting the bra aside, Maria removed the dress, revealing her bare pussy, just like in his fantasies. “Do you want me to leave the garter and stockings on?” “Oh hell yeah,” he murmured, jerking his tie loose and tossing it on the floor. His shirt followed. He loved the way she watched him remove every button from its hole, the way she devoured his body as he unveiled it for her. All those hours of punishment at the gym were worth it now. He drew the pants down his legs, followed by his boxers. Her gaze gleamed dark when his cock jutted out. When she licked her lips, his cock lurched upward. “Lie down.” She did, resting her head on the pillow. He crawled onto the bed, stopping at the end near her feet, picking them up to massage them. “Now, Maria. Tell me what pleases you.” Her eyes opened wide. “What do you mean?” “I want to know your deep, dark fantasies. The things you think about but never tell anyone.” “Are you serious?” “Yes.” “I…I can’t.” “Why not?” “Because I don’t have any,” she blurted, way too fast for him to believe it was the truth.

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“That’s a lie and you know it.” He massaged the arch of her foot and her toes curled downward toward his hand. “Everyone has fantasies. Some are tamer than others, granted, but I’d wager yours run along the kinky side.” She regarded him with a wary frown. “Why do you say that?” “You liked the handcuffs.” The telltale blush of her cheeks was charming. Not many women had enough innocence to blush these days. “Yes, I did. Very much.” Or enough honesty to admit when they liked something. “So did I. I liked restraining you. Does that shock you?” He scooted forward and lifted her leg, letting it rest over his shoulder while he massaged her calf muscle. “Not much shocks me, Colin.” “I don’t know. My desires tend to run dark. I might surprise you.” “I doubt it.” He could tell she was turned on by the way her nipples stood erect, the way her breathing went rapid and shallow. “You want to know my fantasies, don’t you?” “Yes.” “I like anal sex,” he started. “Something so intimate about burying my cock up a woman’s ass. It shows trust on her part and there’s nothing more special to a man than a woman who trusts him. I love to spank a woman, to tie her up and have her at my mercy while I tease and torment every inch of her body. Trust is so important to me. I haven’t trusted very many women in my life. Not many know the kind of sex play I enjoy.” “God, Colin.” Her voice stuttered, her pussy wet and swollen. He smelled the musk of her arousal permeating the room. He had her with his admission. Thank God.

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Moving closer, he lifted both her legs over his shoulders, aligning his cock with her buttocks. It slid upward, rubbing against the moist heat of her pussy. She lifted and reached out, grasping his shaft and rubbing her clit with the thick head. The need in her eyes exploded. She brought out the beast in him, a wild, uncontrollable fury that couldn’t be tamed. “I want to fuck your ass, Maria.” Maria shuddered at the dangerous gleam in Colin’s eyes, like heavily laden gray clouds threatening to burst in a torrential downpour. She wanted that storm inside her, wanted it filling her, igniting inside her until she screamed in pain and ecstasy. Every dark fantasy she’d ever masturbated to was revealed in his eyes, every sinful, wicked secret she’d been too afraid to share with anyone else, open and accessible to him. Even if she wanted to, she didn’t think she could hide from him. He made her want to reveal all her secrets, to hold nothing back and give him everything he asked for. The thought of him buried in her ass was dark and delicious, a fantasy she’d held for years. No man had gained entry there before. How fitting she would give it to Colin, the man of her dreams. “Yes, Colin, I want that.” Her face burned with heat admitting it out loud, but she could deny him nothing. “I brought a few things with me,” he said with a sly grin, reaching down and grabbing a bottle of lube. She leaned over the bed and spotted his duffel bag, then righted herself and arched a brow. “Are you always this prepared?” He cocked a half smile that curled her toes. “A pervert without lube is about as useful as a gun without bullets, babe.” She laughed. Honesty. How refreshing. There were no games with Colin. He put it all out there and she loved that about him.

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Her smile died when he bent her knees back to her chest and looked at her, then squatted down, bottle of lube ready in his hands. She warmed under his scrutiny and turned her gaze away. He had such a hard body she found herself lacking in so many ways. She was so much less than perfect and knew it. “Look at me, Maria.” It was difficult to be so brutally examined like this, but she met his gaze. “Every part of your body is beautiful, from the warmth in your eyes to the fullness of your lips to your breasts and hips to your pussy and ass. I love the way you paint your toenails that fire-engine red. It’s hot as hell. And you have the tiniest feet I’ve ever seen. I love your muscular calves, your strong thighs, the little dimple under your belly button. Everything about you is perfection.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m hardly perfect, Colin.” “That’s where you’re wrong. There are so many perfect things about your body, but most of your perfection is inside you. Your willingness to let me touch you, to look at you, to make love to you. The way you’ve opened up to me and given yourself to me is a precious gift that I don’t take lightly. Now shut up and let me play with you. I have gifts to give you, Maria. Everything you’ve ever wanted.” Her heart turned over at his tender words and she found herself fighting back tears. But then he bent down and plundered her mouth with a kiss that spoke of desperate need and passion, and all was forgotten except desire. She whimpered and grasped his hair, pulling him closer, wanting to crawl inside him if necessary. He kept kissing her and kissing her, plunging his tongue in and out mimicking the sex act until she was wet and ready. He pulled away only long enough to put on a condom. Applying lubrication to her anus he pushed her knees toward her chest and positioned his cock at the entrance to her ass. She tensed, but he made no further move to enter her, instead sweeping his fingers over her engorged clit until she was writhing underneath him, mindless except for the need to climax. “Have you ever done this before?” he asked. 35

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When she shook her head, he sucked in a breath. “Thank you for this, then.” Leaning forward, he kissed her, then said, “Relax. Push out when you feel me enter. It’ll make it easier on you. And if it hurts too bad, tell me and I’ll stop.” “I trust you, Colin,” she said, threading her fingers through his thick, dark hair. “Fuck me.” He leaned back again, keeping his fingers swirling over her clit. Taut expectation mixed with sweet pleasure as he took her to the very edge of orgasm, then pushed the head of his cock through the barrier muscle. It burned and she tensed, but she pushed as he instructed her. “So fucking tight,” he murmured, holding onto her knees as he pressed forward, inch by inch, stopping when she tensed, continuing on when she relaxed past the sizzling pain. God, it hurt, but felt so good as he worked her clit at the same time he forced his cock deep in her ass. When he was buried all the way inside her, she began to pulse around his shaft. She’d never been filled like this before, the sensations so intimate, so forbidden and deliciously naughty it forced her pleasure to a new high. When he withdrew, she felt the vibrations in her pussy, her clit, her womb, gripping his cock in a tight sheath that struck her pleasure points. She had no idea she could feel such ecstasy in her ass. She shuddered when he pressed on her clit, crying out as a climax tore through her. “Fuck!” he moaned, his voice gritty with arousal as she continued to spasm through her orgasm, pulsing around his shaft. His movements increased and he began to fuck harder, driving her knees up against her shoulders. The pain was gone now, leaving in its wake only lightning-hot pleasure. “Harder,” she demanded, clutching his shoulders and digging her nails into his skin as she drew him toward her, ravaging his mouth as he plunged deeper into her ass with punishing thrusts that made her scream against his lips.

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He slid his tongue into her mouth, timing the rhythm of his tongue thrusts with the movements of his cock, grinding his pelvis against her clit until the sparks burst inside her again. She mewled out a cry as she came again, this time taking Colin with her. His guttural groan of completion added to her own pleasure as he tensed, then roared, shuddering against her as he came. She held him, feeling the rapid beat of his heart against her breast, listening to the sound of his breathing as it went from hard panting to soft, regular breathing. She brushed the sweat from his brow and held onto him, realizing how much her life had changed tonight. “Shower?” he said, popping his head up and kissing her quickly on the lips. “Yeah.” He eased off and pulled her to her feet. He washed her back and body in the shower. Every part of her, with such care she felt pampered and totally relaxed by the time he dried her with a towel and carried her to bed. “I can walk, you know,” she teased. “I know.” He laid her in bed and slipped in beside her, pulling her against his chest. A girl could get used to this. And that was a very dangerous thing.

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Chapter Five Maria opened her eyes and blinked the fog away, realizing they hadn’t slept more than a few hours. She was still wrapped up in Colin’s arms, her legs tangled with his. He was awake, staring at her. “You sleep?” she asked. “A little. I’m too charged up to sleep. And I’m hungry.” She laughed. “You want to find a restaurant?” God, what time was it? It was still dark outside. “No. I have another idea. I want to take you back to my house, if you’re game. I’ll feed you, I promise.” His house? Interesting. And kind of exciting. “Sure.” They packed up and in less than a half hour had checked out and were headed down the freeway. It wasn’t even five in the morning, yet Maria was invigorated. Spending time with Colin was like a dream come true and she planned to capitalize on every available second, because when the weekend was over, they’d be over. No way could this interlude between them continue beyond the weekend. They worked together, and besides, the Maria he spent the weekend with wasn’t the real her. She couldn’t be that woman for him beyond this magical moment in time. Her heart ached at the thought. They meshed together so well. He gave her so much of what she needed. Stop thinking about it, Maria. It did no good to dwell on what she couldn’t have. Instead, she looked over at Colin as he drove, studying his hands on the steering wheel. She shuddered remembering the feel of those big hands roaming over her body. Despite

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the multiple orgasms she’d already enjoyed, she was ready for him again, shifting in her seat as her body ached for him. He glanced in her direction, then straight ahead again. “Pull up your dress. I want to see your pussy.” Clad in a miniskirt, blouse and no panties at Colin’s request, she creamed at the thought of doing so in this semipublic place. Though not many cars were on the freeway at this hour on a Saturday morning, there was enough traffic to make it risky. She drew the dress up her thighs, every slide of soft silk against her skin making her tremble with excitement. She looked at him. Though he watched the road as he drove, he stole glances at her pussy. She decided to give him a show, reaching down to smooth her hand over her mound and lower, dipping her fingers into her slit, enjoying the feel of moisture there and knowing it was Colin who’d made her so damn wet. Her clit pulsed and throbbed, swelling, aroused and needy. “Yes,” he whispered, his attention on the road but his breathing labored. “Touch yourself for me, Maria. I want you to show me how you fuck yourself when you’re alone.” Reaching along the side of the seat, she found the controls to adjust the seatback so she could recline and give herself better access to her pussy. She spread her legs and lifted her skirt higher, mindless of the cars streaming by her side of the SUV’s window. Her focus now was on Colin, the sharp, pointed looks he cast her way as he watched her fingers dip into her pussy, the sounds he made when he watched her take her wet fingers to her mouth and lick her own juices from her fingers. “Christ, Maria, that’s fucking hot.” With his free hand he palmed his cock through his jeans, rubbing it as it watched her. She wished she could take his cock in her hands, or suck him while she got herself off, swallowing his cum while she climaxed with her own hand. She wanted to give him as much pleasure as he’d given her. 39

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“Make yourself come for me, baby,” he urged. “Do it.” Driving two fingers into her pussy, she did as he asked, fucking herself like she did when she was alone and fantasizing of him. The urge built fast and furious. She felt sexy and wicked, masturbating in front of him, freer than she’d ever felt before as she showed him how she pleasured herself. As her orgasm approached, she squeezed her butt cheeks together, the sensations intense as she realized anyone could watch as they drove past the vehicle, but she didn’t care. The only person who existed for her was Colin. She wanted to come for Colin. “Yes,” he whispered, encouraging her. “Come for me, baby. Show me.” With a low cry she released, her pussy clenching around her fingers as she shuddered through her orgasm, shaking. “Let me taste you,” he said, his voice dark as the still night sky outside. She removed her fingers and leaned over, sliding them between his open lips. He sucked them in greedily and her pussy pulsed again as he licked her juices clean. God, would she ever get enough of this man? Now that she’d had these moments with him, how would she ever go back to her life without him?

***** Colin tried to breathe through the giant erection straining against his jeans, but it hurt so goddamned bad he felt like he was going to burst. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before he pulled into his driveway, shut off the ignition and took Maria and their luggage into his house. Dawn was just breaking when they entered his modest three-bedroom in Sherman Oaks, the sound of Maria’s high-heeled shoes tapping along the wood flooring as he flipped on the lights to guide her. “Oh, your house is so nice,” she said.

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“Thanks.” He gave her a quick tour, but there really wasn’t much to see. Single story, medium-sized backyard, and Rufus, his golden retriever. Maria fell madly in love with his dog, just like he figured she would. He stood there and watched her kneeling in the kitchen petting the dog and wanted to ask her right then and there to stay with him forever, but held himself in check. Too fast. Much too fast. Besides, right now he had other things in mind. Though he wanted to strip her down and take her again, he knew he had to feed her first, so he made them eggs, bacon and toast, trying to maintain his patience. Watching her pleasure herself on the drive over had been a lesson in frustration. So many times he’d wanted to pull over, yank her into the backseat and plunge his cock into her until he came and came and came. But he also enjoyed just watching her, too. He was never going to get enough of her. She was the most sensual creature he’d ever known, and way more than he’d expected. She’d opened up to him like a morning flower, blossoming as if he were the sun come to give her life, and he had a feeling no one had done that for her before. He felt damn lucky, and if he was smart, he wouldn’t fuck this up. After breakfast she helped him clean up, then sat with him at the table and drank coffee, casting him looks that told him she was more than ready for whatever he had in mind. The fact her libido matched his was an incredible bonus. He never had relationships. In his line of work they never managed to work out, because he was always too busy to nurture them or the women didn’t understand the kinds of monsters he had to deal with on a daily basis. His hours were shit, and lots of times so was his attitude. Maria always understood, though, because she dealt with the same kinds of monsters. She’d just never seemed like she wanted to get close to him. Until he’d found that letter, he had no idea she was even remotely interested. He made a mental note to send Joan a box of candy for Christmas. He owed her, big-time.

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After playing with Rufus awhile and letting their breakfast settle, he was ready again. The sun shone through the kitchen window onto Maria’s hair, the dark locks glittering like black diamonds. When she laughed as Rufus licked her face, Colin’s gut clenched. Maria had so much life in her, took pleasure in so many simple things. Things he sometimes forgot to enjoy, like having his dog around to play with. He needed her in his life. Rufus bounded outside and Maria sat on the floor watching him, then turned to look at Colin, smiling. His heart stopped as he realized he loved her. God, she took his breath away. He almost blurted the words out, but stopped himself, figuring he’d scare her off. They hadn’t even really had a date yet. He stood and held out his hand. She slipped her palm in his and he helped her up, without words leading her into his bedroom. Finally, the four-poster bed he needed. “Nice bed,” she said as they entered the room. He wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her ear. “I brought you here because of that bed.” “Really. And why is that?” “Because of the posts. I can tie you up.” Her breath shuddered. “I’d like that.” Every man’s dream. He undressed her, relishing the revealing of her skin, kissing her shoulders, her back, then turning her around and pushing her backward until she tumbled onto the bed. He laid her out and instructed her to spread her arms and legs, then got the ropes, securing her wrists and ankles to the posts. His cock was hard, straining, eager to fuck her. But it would just have to wait. God, she was beautiful like this, her eyes glittering dark and aroused, her nipples erect, her breasts blushing with warmth. He bent over her and took one cinnamon crest in his

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mouth, sucking it between his teeth and nibbling lightly before licking it rapidly until she arched her back and moaned. Then he released it, watched it pucker in the cool air, and kissed his way to her other breast and did the same. “Colin,” she breathed, never taking her eyes off his face. He liked that she watched him, that she had no fear of being tied up. He loved that she trusted he wouldn’t hurt her. In their line of work, women were often hurt by the men who were supposed to care for them. Trust was everything. He kissed the soft valley between her breasts, then straddled her hips, squeezing her breasts together and sliding his dick between them. “Such beautiful tits you have, babe,” he said, reaching for the bottle of flavored lube he’d set at the bedside table and poured the cherry-flavored liquid on her breasts. His cock slid into the slick fluids, her breasts providing a tight channel for him to fuck. She smiled at him and watched the crest of his cock appear between the folds of her breasts. Fuck, that was so hot. Releasing her breasts, he leaned forward, cupping the back of her neck to give her support. “Suck me,” he commanded, feeding her his cock head. She opened her mouth and eagerly took his cock between her lips, swirling her tongue over the tip and closing her full lips over the head. He closed his eyes for a second as huge pulses of pleasure throbbed inside him. He pumped forward, then withdrew, watching her lips as he rocked against her mouth. Gasping at the sensations, he was nearly undone by the visual of having her bound and greedily sucking him. God, he wanted to jettison his fluids deep down her throat, watch her take it all and swallow. But not right now. He wanted to fuck her like this, while she was unable to move, while he could take her any way he wanted to. He pulled his cock out of her mouth and she whimpered. “Colin, please, let me suck it.”

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He shuddered at her words. “No. I’m going to fuck you, Maria. Hard.” He moved off her and applied a condom. “You like it hard, don’t you?” Maria nodded, licking her lips. Being spread apart like this, bound and unable to get free, had her pussy juices pouring down the crack of her ass. Her nipples tingled, her breasts ached and her clit throbbed. She was so ready for orgasm that if he touched her she’d go off. She was almost embarrassed to wish she could capture this all on video for posterity, to play over and over again when she was alone and lonely. God, this was the hottest thing she’d ever experienced. Colin kneeled between her legs, his cock long and thick and resting just above her pussy. She drank in the sight of him, committing his naked body to memory, his broad shoulders, expansive chest, flat, muscular stomach and the corded muscles of his arms. He leaned over her, crawling up her belly and lying on top of her. Entwining his fingers with hers, he took her mouth in a soul-shattering kiss and drove his cock between her pussy lips. She gasped against his lips, arching her buttocks upward as he entered her. Her cunt squeezed his shaft, pulsing, the tight knot of her clit spiraling into a vortex of sensation as he rubbed against it with each hard thrust. He kept his lips firmly latched onto hers, his kiss so profoundly intimate she couldn’t hold back the tears as he fucked her into an orgasm so intense she sobbed. He broke the kiss. “Am I hurting you?” “No,” she said through hiccupping cries. “Just fuck me. Harder.” Emotion took over then and she couldn’t hold back, crying out as he pounded her with punishing thrusts, powering his cock deeper, taking her mouth in incongruent gentle sweeps of his tongue and lips that left her near sobbing uncontrollably. She was splintering, dying inside and out as he took her from one peak to another, finally groaning against her lips as he came, his own legs trembling against hers.

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They lay like that for only a few moments, then Colin moved off her and untied the ropes, massaging her wrists and ankles before slipping back into bed to gather her close against him. He kissed her cheeks, using the pad of his thumb to wipe away all her tears. She felt stupid, yet couldn’t manage to summon the words to explain the depth of emotion that had caused her to cry like that. And mercifully, he didn’t ask, just held her, kissed her hair, caressed her back, until she drifted off to a contented sleep.

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Chapter Six The sound of a cell phone woke Maria with a start. She sat up in bed and watched Colin reach for the phone on his bedside table. “Yeah,” he said, his voice gruff with sleep. She knew what it was because she received similar calls on the weekends. “Be right there. Call Maria Perez, too. She’ll be able to help.” He hit the button on his cell and turned to her. “You’re about to get a phone call.” She nodded and went for her purse, pulling it out just as her phone began to vibrate. From pleasure to pain in an instant. “I’ll just ride with you. There’s no time to take me home to get my car.” He nodded. They took a quick shower, dressed and headed to the scene. The uniforms were there and had the nosy crowds under control. Colin and Maria flashed their badges and identification and slipped beyond the barrier. The perp was already in the patrol car, so Colin went off to get the info on what went down there and Maria headed into the house to talk to the victim. When she stepped into the bedroom, the blood drained from her face. It was like a copy of the scene she’d just left at Colin’s house. Ropes dangled from a four-poster, handcuffs and lube and whips on the nightstand, and one seriously bloodied, cut and battered victim huddled on the edge of the bed, shaking like a leaf. Maria hurried over to her. “I’m Maria Perez from Domestic Violence.” She motioned to the uniforms. “Give us a minute alone, okay?” 46

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They nodded and vacated. “What’s your name, honey?” “Heather.” The girl couldn’t be more than nineteen or twenty. Her lip was bloody, both eyes blackened and already swelling. She had cuts all over her face. She had a blanket draped over her partially nude body so Maria couldn’t see any marks on the rest of her, but she had a pretty good idea the bastard had really worked her over. “What did he do to you?” “It’s not his fault,” she said, staring out the window. “I agreed to this. Sort of. We were just gonna play a little sex game. He was going to tie me up. I said it was okay. But I didn’t really want to. I mean, I know he likes that kinky stuff and all, and I thought it would be okay, but I didn’t know he was going to be this rough.” “Did you ask him to stop?” “Yeah.” “When?” “When he hit me in the face.” Maria pushed back her anger and forced calm. “When did he hit your face, Heather?” “As soon as he had the ropes secured. Then it just went on from there. As soon as he had me tied up I got scared. Told him I’d changed my mind. He just laughed at me. Said it was too late. I was his now, and he could do whatever he wanted with me. And he did. He did awful things to me.” She clutched the blanket around her chest and shuddered. “God, this is all my fault.” Maria kneeled in front of Heather. “None of this is your fault. He’s a sick, twisted bastard who took advantage of your trust in him. And you’re going to make him pay for what he did. He broke the law, Heather. He assaulted you. Now it’s up to you to make him pay for what he did.”

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The girl dropped her chin to her chest and sobbed. Maria sat on the bed next to her, folded her in her arms and let her cry it out. By the time Maria and Colin took Heather to the hospital and filled out all the paperwork on her boyfriend, Maria was exhausted, had a headache and needed another shower. She felt dirty, that scum of the earth who’d used and abused that little girl making her feel like he’d transferred some of his filth to her. That, and her feeling of déjà vu after coming upon the scene so reminiscent of what she and Colin had done. What the hell was wrong with her anyway? How could she counsel these women about violence when she welcomed it in her own life? It was wrong, deviant, disgusting. It had to stop. “You hungry?” Colin asked as drove away from the hospital. “No.” “What’s wrong, Maria?” “Nothing. I just need to get home, Colin.” And as far away from him, from the memories of what they had done, as possible. She couldn’t do this anymore, couldn’t tap into the fantasies of sex and depravity and then counsel women like Heather. Mercifully, he didn’t ask her any more questions. They stopped at his house, allowing her to pack her bag. “Maria, tell me what’s bothering you,” he asked, watching her as she threw her things into her bag. “Nothing. These cases always upset me, Colin. Besides, I told Heather I’d pick her up at the hospital and take her home. I need to go.” “It’s more than that. Talk to me.” She didn’t want to look in his eyes and see the hurt there. She was brushing him off and she knew it, but she had to. It was better this way. For both of them. Though she’d

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tried, really tried, she could never be the type of woman he needed. Kink was better left to her fantasies. She saw way too much of it in her reality and it wasn’t pretty. “There’s nothing to talk about. I had a great time. Please take me home.” She heard his sigh and closed her eyes, forcing back the tears stinging her eyes. Grabbing her bag, she walked out the door and spent the ride to her apartment looking out the side window, refusing to look at him. She felt horrible for treating him this way. He’d been so good to her, so gentle and caring. Colin had given her everything she’d ever wanted, and she thanked him by blowing him off as if he didn’t matter. He did matter. She loved him, loved everything about him. But she couldn’t have him. She couldn’t live with the darkness within herself couldn’t live this lifestyle and do her job at the same time. He pulled up in front of her complex and she unlocked the door, turning to him and offering a brief smile. “Thank you, Colin, for everything. I had a wonderful time.” “Maria. We need to talk about this.” “No, Colin. I can’t. Please.” She slipped out the door in a hurry and shut it, before she did something stupid, like burst into tears and throw herself in his arms.

***** Colin tapped his fingers on his desk, ignoring the Christmas cheer and frivolity going on around him. The squad room was loud and boisterous. Christmas Eve and everyone was happy. He wasn’t, though. He missed Maria. Still couldn’t figure out what the fuck he’d done wrong. And he couldn’t get her to talk to him about it. Since that morning when they’d gotten the call to go to work she’d been nothing but business. Polite and friendly and usual. Back to normal.

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Goddammit, he didn’t want normal with her anymore. He wanted what they had that weekend. Wild, passionate, out of control. He wanted her in his life on a permanent basis, but she wouldn’t talk to him outside of work-related issues. His phone rang and he jerked it out of the receiver. “Maguire.” “Well, Merry Christmas to you, too, Detective.” He smiled at Joan’s voice. “Hey, Joan. What’s up?” “Look, I only have a few seconds and Maria will kill me if she knew I called you.” He frowned. “What’s wrong?” “She is. She’s scared of who she is. You and I both know she’s a kinky little vixen. But she can’t bring herself to reconcile that with what she does for a living.” Ah. That was her problem. “It’s not the same thing at all, Joan.” “You know that, and I know that. Now it’s up to you to convince her. She’s found a really good thing with you, Maguire. Don’t let her screw it up, okay?” “Thanks. I’ll do my best. And Merry Christmas.” “Right back atcha.”

Maria sat in her living room and sipped a cup of eggnog, listening to the sounds of oldies Christmas music and feeling miserable, alone and utterly stupid. Even her tiny little tabletop Christmas tree looked at pathetic as she felt. She missed Colin, felt awful for the way she’d treated him and was dying to call him. Too late now, idiot. You screwed up. Big-time. You lost him and you deserve to be alone on Christmas. Her eyes pooled with unshed tears and she blinked them away. “You don’t get to cry. You don’t deserve to feel sorry for yourself, dumbass.” She jerked at the sound of her doorbell. Great. With her luck it would be Christmas carolers and she’d burst into tears. But when she opened the door, she saw Colin standing there. 50

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“Merry Christmas, Maria.” “Colin.” “Can I come in?” “Of course.” She couldn’t believe he was here. He stepped in, then turned to her. “I know you don’t want to see me, but I need to talk to you.” She looked at the floor, then back up at him, afraid to speak, afraid she’d say the wrong thing. She’d screwed up once and didn’t want to do it again, had to make him understand it was nothing he’d done. The fault had been hers. “I’m sorry, Colin. I know I treated you badly last weekend.” “You have nothing to be sorry for.” He stepped closer and she inhaled. Crisp, like pine trees. Earthy, like man. God, she loved him. “Yes, I do. I have this mental block, you see. These…desires I have. They seem so perverted when I see what happens to these women I counsel. When we went to that house and I saw those ropes on that bed, saw that beaten woman. And you and I had just done the exact same thing, I couldn’t…” He reached for her, pulling her against him. Just the feel of his hands on her back turned her on. She was butter, melting against his heat. How could something that felt so right be wrong? It wasn’t wrong! There was nothing wrong with how she and Colin felt about each other, dammit. He leaned back and searched her face. “Maria, when you and I made love it was consensual. You trusted me not to hurt you. You knew if you said ‘no’, or ‘stop’, that I would. Those bastards who hurt their women don’t stop, they don’t listen to the word ‘no’. The women who are hurt are suffering nonconsensual sex. They’re raped and worse. It’s two different things.”

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“I know.” Listening to him say it made it so much clearer, in her head and in her heart. “Maybe I just needed someone to tell me it was okay, that I wasn’t deviant and perverted.” “I like you a little perverted,” he whispered, then pulled back enough to show her his wicked grin. “I like you a lot perverted,” she said, grinning back. “I love you, Maria.” Her next inhalation was on a shudder as her world spun on its axis. “What?” “I love you. Your generous heart, the way you help these women. I love the way you smell like jasmine, the way you look at me when you think I’m not looking. I love the way you throw your entire body and soul into lovemaking. I love every inch of your skin and your body. I want to be with you, Maria. We belong together.” This time she let the tears go, but they were tears of joy. “I love you, too, Colin. Because of your trust in me, your acceptance, your protectiveness over the weak. I love the way you’ve mastered my body like you’ve known it forever, the way you are both gentle and fierce. Please make love to me. I’ve missed you.” He took her lips in a ravaging kiss, pouring out longing and need that she felt all the way to her toes. She cried into his kiss again, but held nothing back. She gave Colin all that she was, knowing there were no secrets between them. Clothes were shed and soon he had her bent over her sofa. She smiled at her tiny little Christmas tree that looked much more cheerful now as he pounded his cock inside her, slapping her ass with sharp, stinging swats that brought tiny pulses of quaking spasms to her pussy. When she came, it was on a cry and his name spilling from her lips. He dug his fingers into the flesh of her ass and thrust hard, spilling inside her, then turning her around and capturing her mouth in a warm, soft kiss. “I’m going to make all your dreams and wishes come true,” he said. “Not just at Christmas.”

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She wrapped her arms around his back and pressed her lips to his. “You already have.” “I needed you, Maria. We have a sneaky little elf named Joan to thank for bringing us together.” She laughed. “Yes, we do.” This would be her best Christmas ever, thanks to a very special friend and one extremely hot and sexy Santa.

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About the Author In April 2003, Ellora’s Cave foolishly offered me a contract for my first erotic romance and I haven’t shut up since. My writing is an addiction for which there is no cure, a disease in which strange characters live in my mind, all clamoring for their own story. I try to let them out one by one, as mixing snarling werewolves with a bondage and discipline master can be very dangerous territory. Then again, unusual plotlines offer relief from the demons plaguing me. In my world, well-endowed, naked cabana boys do the vacuuming and dishes, little faeries flit about dusting the furniture and doing laundry, Wolfgang Puck fixes my dinner and I spend every night engaged in wild sexual abandon with a hunky alpha. Okay, the hunky alpha part is my real life husband and he keeps my fantasy life enriched with extensive “research”. But Wolfgang won’t answer my calls, the faeries are on strike and my readers keep running off with the cabana boys.

Jaci welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at 1056 Home Avenue, Akron, OH 44310-3502.

Also by Jaci Burton A Storm For All Seasons 1: Summer Heat A Storm For All Seasons 3: Winter Ice A Storm For All Seasons 4: Spring Rain Animal Instincts Bite Me Chains of Love: Bound to Trust Devlin Dynasty: Fall Fury Devlin Dynasty: Mountain Moonlight Devlin Dynasty: Running Mate Dream On Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails II anthology Kismet 1: Winterland Destiny Kismet 2: Fiery Fate League of 7 Seas: Dolphin’s Playground Lycan’s Surrender Magnolia Summer Mesmerized anthology Midnight Velvet Out of the Darkness (with C.J. Burton) Passion In Paradise 1: Paradise Awakening Passion In Paradise 2: Paradise Revival Passion In Paradise 3: Paradise Discovery Tangled Web (with C.J. Burton)

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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