When Abigail Clark agrees to join her best friend on a getaway to New Orleans, she has no idea what’s in store for her. After her friend coaxes her into attending a Masquerade Ball, Abigail finds herself stuck in an awkward situation. However, she is delightfully caught off guard when Daniel Lérue, a gorgeous younger man shows interest in her.
He offers her a night filled with unforgettable passion. With that, he awakens a sexual appetite that has been dormant for quite some time.
Will she shy away from her body’s masked desires or surrender to the call of untamed lust?
Three men were huddled over a table in the far corner of the bar area, where they conversed, laughed and enjoyed their drinks. Like they’d just stepped off the stage of a Shakespearian play, they sported costumes that were stylishly dated for a Masquerade ball, capes and all. Neither one of them appeared to be in our age bracket. In fact, they looked like cougar bait. That made me feel old.
The one Allison had her eyes on, a smooth cocoa brother with a wavy fade, snapped his attention our way. The two men at his sides―one looked Latin and the other white―followed suit.
Uh-oh. I fidgeted uncomfortably under their steady gazes. Allison, on the other hand, flashed a megawatt smile, assumed a provocative stance and stuck her voluptuous chest out for their scrutiny.
“Looks like they’re going to a Masquerade too.” The words slid off Allison’s tongue like she’d just tasted something scrumptious. “One of every flavor. A yummy man swirl.”
Oh goodness, trouble!
Mischief played in Allison’s steely blue eyes. No doubt about it, I was about to be yanked into an awkward, uncomfortable situation. I started getting the jitters. The pounding beneath my chest grew faster at the sparkle in Allison’s leer and the developing interest from the beautiful young men across the way.
Desperate to get out of the building before Allison made her move, I inched closer to the exit. “Let’s go ahead and get our cab, Ally. Running late, remember?”
Her white gloved hand caught me by the wrist. “Trying to run off on me, honey.”
“I’m trying to go hail a cab. You cussed me out for making us late and now you wanna set us back further?”
“They are worth the set back.” Her eyes glued on the handsome gents, she murmured, “Besides, the party doesn’t jump off until we arrive anyway.”
“No girl, I see what you’re ‘bout to do, and I’m not comfortable with it.” I tried to sound stern and serious, but the alcohol sailing through my system made my voice waver and slur. Dang, I’m a lightweight.
“Uh-huh, right, let’s go see if they’re going to the same ball.”
“Please don’t do this,” I begged as I was pulled across the cream tiles to the bar area. “Allison, don’t…”
The closer we got to the threesome, the hotter they became. By the time we stepped onto the carpeted area, I wasn’t resisting anymore. What’s the use anyway? Allison was going to drag me into the mix one way or another.
Time to celebrate horror, twisted minds and candy consumption. *insert evil laughter here*
In addition to Halloween, this month is a reminder to all women and men that breast cancer exists and it is a serious disease. It’s important to take the steps to detect breast cancer in its early stages. Click on the Breast Cancer Awareness image on the right side panel of this page to get information on how to get check for the disease and also how to donate to the cause.
Now, let’s have story time, boys and girls!
Starting today, I’ll be posting a new story for FREE. 2 chapters will be posted each week of this month for your reading pleasure. I will also post the images that inspired me to create the characters in this story. This is not a tale that I had sitting on the back burner or anything. This story literally came to me on a whim, so I’m writing it as I post it. It’s a new genre for me, dystopian sci-fi romance with a touch of steampunk. I haven’t done this before, so I’m treating this as a writing challenge. Let me forewarn you, it’s not edited or doctored up. It’s just me writing what my muse whispers in my ear. I really hope you enjoy it.
As the story progresses, please don’t hesitate to give feedback. I love to hear from the readers.
On a side note… Most of you already know I have a pretty vivid imagination and my descriptions are very graphic. Seriously, my tales come with a warning for reason. I’m going to insert that warning now and then move onto the story.
Enjoy!
**WARNING: Not suitable for the faint of heart, prudes or those easily bothered by strong and vulgar language, urban dialect, demon and vampire seduction, kickass female characters, sword-wielding bad asses, super-hot shifters, dark smutty sex and extreme violence.**
CRIMSON DAYS
**dystopian sci-fi, paranormal, erotic and interracial romance**
Chapter 1
The persistent banging on the front door increased the rapid thump behind my eyes.
Palming my forehead, I winced. “Hold on, Sanjay!” I splashed my face with a couple handfuls of water and stared at my reflection in the mirror. “Wow. I’m not even a shadow of my old self,” I murmured pitifully. In short, I looked a hot damn mess.
There were dark shadows under my eyes, due to lack of sleep. My chestnut skin tone had lost its healthy glow. I’m sure my poor diet had something to do with that. On some days I ate a little something just to fuel up and then on other days I didn’t eat at all. When your job requires you to spend most of your time around the walking dead and rotting corpses, it made it hard to work up an appetite. The woes of being a Cross Knight…
“Alexis!” Sanjay shouted through the door. “C’mon girl, we’re late! The hovercraft is waiting for us.”
“Geez, this man…” I grumbled under my breath. “He’s such a damn irritation.” I tied my dreads back from my face, adjusted the snug armor over my breasts and headed downstairs. “Who are you with?” I called out.
“I’m with you,” came his sultry response.
ALEXIS
When I got to the door, I glanced at the screen on the side wall to make sure he was alone. He had the aggravating habit of traveling with a military entourage when he came to my quarters. He knew I hated that crap. After I cursed him out about it the last time, he promised to never do it again. For once, he’d kept his word.
“Disengage security and open the door,” I ordered to my personal AI.
“Command confirmed,” the disembodied female voice replied as the seven locks on the door clicked simultaneously. “Door opening.” Most people preferred a physical android living with them, but not me. That shit was creepy. Their artificial human features made them even creepier. I preferred the security without a bot strolling freely around my quarters.
The door slid to the right and disappeared into the wall, revealing the man who once owned my heart.
“‘Sup, babe.” The brim of Sanjay’s hat sat low on his head, concealing his dark soulful eyes. “I feel like you’re avoiding me.”
“Because I am,” I retorted snidely as I shuffled aside to let him enter.
The stench of death lingered on him. Crimson spots marred his uniform and armor, which indicated he’d sliced up some vampires on the way over here. Typical.
His full lips twisted into a frown. “What’s been going on with you?”
Huffing out a sigh, I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be an asshole. Look at me.”
“I’m looking. I see you, babe.”
“Do you? Do you really see me?”
He stepped over the threshold, and tried to pull me into his arms. “You look beautiful to me, as always.”
I pulled away and headed for my weapon cache, with Sanjay swift on my heels. “You’re only saying that because you want me to go out hunting with you. My health means nothing to you.” The moment I approached my storage room, the retina scanner emerged from the wall.
Sanjay and I stood still as the machine identified us.
SANJAY
“Yeah, of course I want you to go hunting with me. That doesn’t mean I’m lying about you being beautiful…” He flashed the smile that always made my heart flutter. Today it didn’t have the same effect. “And it doesn’t mean I’m not worried about your health.”
“Whateva.” I walked into room and started collecting my weapons.
I always carried three daggers, three G-four gats and a laser rifle. When I first joined the regiment, the weapons weighed nothing to me. Probably because I had a purpose, or at least I thought I did. Now, they felt heavy as hell.
I found myself returning one pistol to its holder. “I feel sick and it’s getting worse.”
“Well, if you were eating like you’re supposed to and taking your vitamin pack…” he murmured, rummaging through my ammo. “You wouldn’t have this problem.
Heat flared to my face as I cut a glare at him. What angered me the most is he knew my diet has fallen off, but he didn’t bother to say anything about it, or at least try to help me through it. That told me one thing. He truly didn’t give a damn. All he cared about was this fucking war.
“Nothing else matters to you when it comes to the cause.” Sarcasm dripped from each word. “If I dropped dead, would you even bother to come to my funeral, or would you go out hunting to kill as many vampires as you can in my honor?
He flashed a wicked grin. “Are you trying to pick a fight with me, Alexis?” He eased up behind me and slipped a hand over my crotch. “If that’s the case, we can squash the argument and cut to the makeup sex right now.”
Groaning, I shoved away from him. “I’m serious, Sanjay. We’ve been at this for what… a little over three years now? There has to be more to life than this. More to life than the war, blood and death.”
He quirked a brow. “What are you saying?”
“Gaaawd!” I threw my hands in the air. “I swear it’s like talking to a brick wall with you. I’m saying the same thing I said yesterday and the day before that, andthe day before THAT! I’ve been saying this shit for a year now, Sanjay. I don’t wanna do this anymore! I wanna pack my bags and get as far away from this war zone as possible.”
“And go where?” he asked beneath a sigh.
“Anywhere but here.”
“Look babe, I know it’s hard, but the force needs us. Mankind needs us. We’re knights—”
“No, you’re a knight! I’m a waitress! Remember?”
“Yet, you’re the best hunter on the squad.”
I laughed, but not so much in humor. “Just because I’m good at it doesn’t mean I want to keep doing it. I can’t take another year of this mess.” I shook my head. “I just can’t…”
“Come here, babe.” He pulled me into his embrace and cuddled me. “You’re just going through withdrawal, missing the life you used to have. We all go through it.” Rocking his hips, he pressed his bulged groin against me and kissed the corner of my mouth. “I got a little something to remedy that. Let’s bust a quickie before we show up for duty.”
“Ugh, you’re such a pig! And you smell like vampires. That’s not sexy.” I shoved him away, and reclaimed the G-four I had put back. “Let’s go and get this mission over with.”
No matter how many times I said it, or how many different ways I put it, he would never get it. The only way to get through to him was to walk away from him and away from this war he’d dragged me into, but I couldn’t find it in myself to do it. Maybe because deep inside, I didn’t want to let him down. But how long could I keep living for him before this war finally claimed my life?
MASKED DESIREShas been revamped with a new cover and new content.
When Abigail Clark agrees to join her best friend on a getaway to New Orleans, she has no idea what’s in store for her. After her friend coaxes her into attending a Masquerade Ball, Abigail finds herself stuck in an awkward situation. However, she is delightfully caught off guard when Daniel Lérue, a gorgeous, younger man shows interest in her.
He offers her a night filled with unforgettable passion. With that, he awakens a sexual appetite that has been dormant for quite some time.
Will she shy away from her body’s masked desires or surrender to the call of untamed lust?
Masked Desires will be available for your Kindle and Nook on June 27th! Stay tuned for erotic excerpts and announcements for the launch party. 😉
Also from the Carnal Diaries Series, check out Rock Star Lover!
A defense attorney working for Cameron, Cameron & LaSalle, P.C., Alisha Carrington, hasn’t dated anyone since she was betrayed by her fiancé. Too afraid to risk her heart again, she has vowed to dedicate her life to building her career. Unbeknownst to Alisha, she has caught the eye of two very powerful men, Tristan Cameron and James Langston.
Tristan is more than a drop-dead gorgeous attorney. Undercover for the FBI, he has been using his family’s law practice in Atlanta as his front. Although he loves women, his undercover work is just too dangerous for him to commit to one woman. Summoned to New York by his brother, Tristan comes face-to-face with the one woman who can make him rethink his vows against commitment—Alisha. He’s tried to resist his attraction to the sexy African-American for years, but when Alisha’s life is threatened, he vows to keep her safe…and the powers-that-be help them both.
Tristan noticed the ebony beauty as soon as she opened the door. He sucked in his breath in admiration. He had noticed Alisha every time he had come into the New York office, but he had kept his distance. She was another reason he stayed away. He knew that she had no idea of his interest in her, and he wanted it to remain that way. Anyway, it seemed that whenever he came within a few feet of the lady, she would turn and go in the opposite direction. His brother, knowing him as well as he did, had evidently picked up on his interest in Alisha. So that’s her name—and she’s single, apparently. He’d never known her name. Had never bothered to find out. Just knew that he’d had a strong physical attraction to her. Up close, she was even prettier than he’d originally thought.
Maybe New York isn’t so bad after all. Tristan heard her speak and was floored. Her smoky voice turned him on. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. He could feel Brandon staring him and couldn’t care less. Well, Damn! Tristan thought, surreptitiously looking at her in admiration.
There she was in the office of the partners, standing tall with her head up like she didn’t have a care in the world. Most people, when called to one of their offices, were scared shitless that they had done something wrong, but not Ms. Alisha Carrington. In fact, she looked mad as hell that he was gawking at her openly.
He knew he should stop, but she was even more beautiful up close. Tristan loved the fact that she appeared to have some fire to her, too.
* * *
Alisha said, “Hello David…Mr. Cameron.”
“How are you, Alisha?” David said.
“I’m fine. You?” She was starting to feel uncomfortable and self-conscious under Tristan’s scrutiny, and a little irate, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit flattered and turned on at the same time. Resolutely, she turned and looked at Brandon, “Hello, Brandon. Betty said you wanted to see me?”
“Uh, yes, Alisha. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. Have a seat,” Brandon said, motioning for her to take the unoccupied seat next to David.
Today, I would like to showcase a drawing from my one of my favorite artists, who happens to be my good friend, Takeia Marie. This is a drawing of Rayne and Demetri from The Dragon Queen Series.
I have to say I absolutely love this drawing!
Takeia was already incredibly talented when I met her, but during the years I’ve known her, I have watched her skills grow at an amazing rate. In this drawing, she has managed to embody Demetri’s dark beauty and strength, as well as Rayne’s powerful curves, and hidden wickedness. This drawing also displays their unrelenting passion for each other, which screams from the pages of the book.
Teaser from the Dragon Queen Series
Demetri wrapped his arms around her, palmed a breast and swayed his hips to her sultry rhythm. As her rapid heartbeat set pace with his, her body stuttered against his joined sensual assault. His aching shaft pulsated intensely between her thighs. Harsh growls rumbled within his chest as her skillful fingers and fiery sex massaged him toward eruption.
The need to bite her grew unbearable, especially while she was baring her throat to him. He raked a fang across her jugular, caressing her mind with the images of him sinking his incisors deep into her flesh and thrusting his hardened cock into her hot wet pussy.
Ooo sexy!
After Takeia completed this drawing, my boy, the color master, Kyle Chaneycame along and made a drawing that was already stunning even lovelier. I know. It’s difficult to look away from. I’ve been staring at it for the last 15 minutes. 😉 Fiyah!
Kyle and Takeia are wonderful souls and great inspirations in my life. I love them both dearly and I honestly can’t imagine my life without them. I would like to thank them both for sharing their talents with me! I look forward to working with them again on the Dragon Queen project.
It’s the day before Halloween, which makes this the perfect time to drop a spooky teaser. This one is from Shifting Darkness, an extended tale from The Dragon Queen Series.
Enjoy!
An unseen war is brewing in the shadowy underworld of London. Dr. Faith Miller, a local pathologist, is exposed to the horrific reality when she stumbles upon her brother consuming the flesh of his lover.
Tajaé Zhang, the second in command of the UK based black panther pack of the Chalvaiz clan, and his fellow shifters have been systematically exterminating the walking corpses—zombies, in an attempt to control the rapidly spreading demon virus.
Secretly, he has observed Faith from afar for months. His attraction for her has grown into an untamable love. After she’s bitten and infected with the virus, Tajaé defies the laws of the shifter packs and puts his life on the line to save hers.
Something crashed in Jamie’s room. A scream followed.
Halfway down the hall, Faith froze. Should I ignore it? Normally she would, but that didn’t sound like a cry of passion. “Everything alright in there, freaks?” She stood in front of the door, her hand curled around the knob. She didn’t turn it right away though. “Jamie?” Muffled shrills were the only response she got.
Fear raked down her spine and settled in the pit of her stomach. Something wasn’t right here.
“I’m gonna count to ten, then I’m coming in.” She turned the knob and pushed the door open. “Ten.”
The putrid scent assailed her. It was much worse than it had been at the hospital.
Her lungs tightened and a retching cough wracked her body. “Oh, God… ew…” Either the scent of sex had changed and no one told her, or there was a dead body somewhere in this room.
I want to take this time to thank the readers for making SILENT SCREAMSa bestseller at All Romance Ebooks! It warms my heart that the readers enjoy the tales I spin. It’s because of you I continue to write. 😀
