Going Down: Holding Out for a Hero, Book 1 Read online

  Tyson smoothed a hand down her back, silent for a moment. And then he asked softly, “Think you’d miss them more if you moved to Wyattville?”

  Ellie blinked. Had she heard him wrong? Hope clung in every inch of her being as she looked up at him.

  “What are you asking, Tyson?”

  His expression flickered between earnest and uncomfortable. “Well, I realize we’ve only known each other a short time, and you’d probably think I was crazy if I suggested getting married. But maybe you would consider moving out to the west coast? You could teach yoga in town. I know this great place…”

  She gave the tiniest shake of her head and whispered, “I wouldn’t.”

  Disappointment flashed across his face and he nodded. “Yeah, I suppose that’s a hell of a lot to ask.”

  “No. I mean wouldn’t think you were crazy for suggesting marriage.” It was gambling on a comment he’d loosely thrown out there, but right now, it was worth the risk. “I would love to move to Wyattville. I love the people, the town, and most of all… I love you, Tyson.”

  Tyson’s gaze searched hers and then that familiar grin she’d grown to love sprawled across his face. “And how long have you known this, sweetheart?”

  “Um, for about two minutes.”

  He laughed and rolled her under him again, pressing a solid kiss against her mouth.

  “Then I forgive you for not telling me earlier,” he said and caressed her cheek. “And I claim bragging rights for having realized I’m in love with you about three days earlier.”

  Her heart swelled with love and she blinked away tears. “Seriously?”

  His humor faded and he nuzzled her neck. “Seriously, Ellie. You’ve only been in my life a short time, but I just can’t imagine you out of it now.”

  “You don’t have to.” She clung to him, not fighting the tears this time. “Because wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”

  He groaned softly and then kissed her again, and she gave herself over. To the passion. To the possibilities. And to their future…

  Megan disconnected her cell phone call and smiled, slipping it back into her purse. Maybe she should’ve just left a message for Tyson and Ellie, but the idea of delivering the news in person would be more exciting. James Mahoney had just been found guilty by the jury.

  And what better way to celebrate than with cupcakes from Kate’s Cakes?

  The two lovebirds had been busy getting Ellie moved cross country and into Tyson’s house and planning a wedding, it sounded like.

  Megan’s heels clicked on the paved sidewalk of Main Street as she headed back to her car, adjusting the box of cupcakes in her hands.

  “Megan?”

  She stopped walking and closed her eyes, tension radiating through her body at the sound of his voice. For fuck’s sake. Would she ever be able to hear it without getting sucked into the past?

  Forcing a polite smile onto her face, she opened her eyes and turned to face Trevor.

  “Hi, Trevor.”

  He stood tall and straight, every bit the soldier with the poker face and stiff nod he greeted her with. His eyes, once full of heat and passion for her, were void of any emotion.

  “I just wanted to thank you for what you did for Tyson and his fiancée.”

  It was amazing he didn’t follow it up with a ma’am. Her heart twisted and she forced herself to swallow the bitterness in her throat.

  “No problem. Your family means a lot to me.” She had to leave. If she stood here one more minute, she’d do something foolish—like cry. Or throw a cupcake at him. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m on my way somewhere. It was good to see you again.”

  She turned away, hoping he’d stop her. But there was nothing but the sound of her footsteps until she reached her car.

  You need to move on, Megan. It’s obvious he has. Find someone new.

  Lifting her head higher, she opened the door to her convertible and climbed in, vowing to do just that.

  Pushing Trevor Wyatt from her head, she pulled the car away from the curb.

  It was time to go deliver the good news to the soon-to-be newlyweds.

  About the Author

  To learn more about Shelli Stevens, please visit www.shellistevens.com Send an email to Shelli at [email protected] or join her newsletter at http://www.shellistevens.com/contact/.

  Look for these titles by Shelli Stevens

  Now Available:

  Seattle Steam

  Dangerous Grounds

  Tempting Adam

  Chances Are

  Anybody but Justin

  Luck be Delanie

  Protecting Phoebe

  Chances Are

  Trust and Dare

  Theirs to Capture

  Four Play

  Coming Soon:

  Holding out for a Hero:

  Command and Control

  Hot Zone

  She’ll make him finish what he started—if they live through the night.

  Alaskan Heat

  © 2009 Pam Champagne

  Framed and on the run, FBI agent Joe “Hawk” Hawkins has only one chance to clear his name: hit the road for Eagle, Alaska. Things can’t get much worse, until a woman from his past steps into his path. Sophie’s a brilliant statistician, pissed off about their disastrous one night stand—and offering him a deal.

  This is Sophie’s first field assignment, and the fact that it involves Hawk doesn’t make it any easier. She’s never forgotten or forgiven the night Hawk found his way to her bed and left her wanting more. Now she’s on a double mission to make Hawk finish what he started, and get them both to Eagle alive.

  The long Alaska Highway stretches before them, and long nights of sexual fireworks that rival the Northern Lights. Caution turns to trust, and then to a love neither of them bargained for.

  With two rogue agents in hot pursuit, though, the end of the road may be closer than they think…

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Alaskan Heat:

  Sophie forced a casual smile even though her body thrummed with the need to leap on Hawk. She didn’t want foreplay. Already the insides of her thighs were wet and sticky. She cleared her throat and reached for the robe hanging on the outside hook of the bathroom door. “Sounds tempting. As soon as I get back.”

  The man of her dreams sat up and bumped his skull again. “Damn it,” he muttered. “Where are you going?”

  Two steps brought her to the door. “To put Rueger in the cab for the night. Be right back.”

  Once outside, Sophie breathed in the nippy air. More than likely there’d be a frost tomorrow morning. Unlocking the truck, she fished around the seat until her hand curled around her cell. The hard, packed gravel hid the sound of her footsteps as she sprinted toward the woods. As soon as she’d run far enough for privacy, she punched five on the speed dial.

  “Clements here.”

  “It’s Sophie.”

  “Sophie, why haven’t you called? I told you—”

  “Be quiet and listen. I only have a minute. Hawk’s with me. Call off your hounds.”

  “What hounds?” Stan’s confusion sent a shard of fear through her.

  She gripped the slim cell hard enough to break it. “Some feds stayed on our tail for several miles. I turned into a picnic area and they sped by.”

  “Damn it. Has to be Blair and Reed. I had to put them on administrative leave, but I can’t restrict their movements. They’re on to us.”

  “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

  “Not this far from Eagle.”

  Sophie whirled. The camper rocked. “Got to go.” She disconnected and slipped the phone in her robe pocket, making sure to shut if off in case Stan decided to call back. She whistled for Rueger and jogged back to the truck. “Up.” Once he jumped inside, she slammed and locked the door. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to face Hawk’s inquisition.

  “Where the hell have you been?” he demanded the moment she stepped inside. He stood buck naked at the side
of the bed.

  More moisture lubed her thighs.

  “Who’d you call?” He held up his hand. “No lies. I heard you talking.”

  Christ. The man must have the ears of a wild animal. “Stan. Those weren’t his men following us.”

  “Damn! Blair and Reed then.”

  “Isn’t this what you wanted? A confrontation?”

  Her lower belly cramped at Hawk’s face tight with lust.

  “Sure is,” he purred. “But at a place and time of my choosing. There’s not much they’ll try tonight so close to the highway. You and I have unfinished business. I always pay my debts.”

  Sophie trembled, imagining the pleasure she’d discover in Hawk’s bed tonight. Ever since she’d met Hawk, she’d waited for this moment. She wanted everything to be perfect. As she wiggled out of her robe, the fleece material slipped off her shoulders to pool at her feet. If only she owned a sexy, silk negligee.

  Several moments passed before she realized Hawk wouldn’t make the first move. At least he’d given her the opportunity to change her mind. As if that would happen. She closed the short distance and stepped into his open arms. “This is only the first installment, you know. I’ll let you know when I’m totally satisfied.”

  “You do that.” Callused fingers trailing across her nipples sent a jolt of desire to her core. Her stomach clenched when those same fingers dipped into her bellybutton only to slide lower. One finger, then two slid between her swollen folds. Reality was hotter than her imagination. She hadn’t burned with such need last Christmas. Now she had to keep her emotions under wraps. Hawk wanted hot sex, not love. She slumped and clung to his shoulders to keep from falling. Her groan came out of nowhere. “I’m on fire.” Was that her voice, hoarse with need?

  “I can feel it.” Warm breath touched her skin while his tongue played with the lobe of her ear. His fingers pumped in and out of her sheath while his busy thumb made circular motions on her clit, nearly throwing her into climax.

  She loved his playing, but right now she wanted release. No, she needed release. “Enough teasing. Fuck me.”

  “Such language from the lips of a lady. I thought you wanted satisfaction? Let me do my job. Be patient. You won’t be sorry.”

  Sophie squeezed her legs together, clenching her vaginal muscles on his fingers. The huge cock poking her belly didn’t lie. He, too, was fast losing control.

  “Do you play with yourself, Sophie?”

  The question intruded on her pleasure. “What?”

  “Nights when you can’t sleep. Do you make yourself come? How do you do it? With your fingers? A vibrator?” The whispered words made her clit throb.

  Unable to stand the torture, she pumped her hips on his fingers.

  “Is that a yes?” He nibbled her lips, his tongue licking her mouth before pushing inside. She sucked hard.

  His free hand curled around her hip, encouraging her to fuck his fingers faster and harder. “I’m going to—” He withdrew his hand, and the building climax waned. “Damn you, Hawk! Not again. I won’t let you leave me wanting more.”

  “Got no intention of it.” He grasped her waist and lifted her onto the small table, pulling her butt to the very edge. “Put your hands behind you. Brace yourself,” he growled.

  Hawk spread her thighs, stretching her wide. Muscle discomfort fled at the touch of his cock rubbing her clit. “I’m through playing, Sophie. I’m going to fuck you. How do you want it? Hard and fast? Slow and easy? A little at a time or all at once?”

  Hawk scrutinized Sophie spread-eagled on the hard surface. She had a gorgeous body. One he’d thought about more times than he cared to remember. With her head back and her mouth slightly parted, she invited him to take what he wanted. Her body sent out rippling waves of heat. He pushed the head of his cock inside her wet opening.

  The tremble in her legs fueled his self-torture. For a moment, a twinge of guilt held him back. Sophie was a good girl, not the kind who participated in sex games for the sheer pleasure. Not like him. Was she ready for sex for sex’s sake? In the game he played, emotional love had no part in the action. Pleasure and satisfaction were the end results. He should stop right now.

  “Please, Hawk.” His cock swelled at the wanton tremor in her voice. “Fuck me. I can’t stand it.”

  He shoved his guilt aside. “Talk dirty to me.”

  Her eyes opened, and he drowned in the dazed passion of her usually alert gaze.

  “What are you’re feeling? Tell me what you want. What makes you feel good?” He let go of her thighs. They stayed splayed. After one teasing pinch of her hardened nub, he cupped her breasts. He leaned forward to tongue a swollen nipple and pushed his cock deeper. So damn snug.

  He quickly pulled out of her and sank to the floor and licked her clit. “Talk to me.”

  Sophie gasped. “Yes! Your tongue feels so… Oh!”

  Her panting voice urged him on. He tongue fucked her until he sensed her orgasm fast approaching. Grabbing her hips to stop her squirming, he blew on her opening.

  “Damn you.”

  She yanked his hair. Despite her desperation, a perversity to let her know what kind of man he was drove him on. “What do you call your vagina? Pussy?”

  “Bunny,” she choked out.

  Hawk chuckled and ran his tongue down the full length of her slit, sucking her clit. She lurched and flooded his mouth.

  “I bet Bunny would like a big carrot.”

  “Stop tormenting me. Do you want me to beg?”

  He came to his feet and pushed her flat on the table. Hooking his hands under her knees, he yanked her onto his aching cock. With one hard thrust, he was inside. Closing his eyes, he held her pussy tight against his pelvis. Her clenching vaginal muscles milked his cock. Like a stick of dynamite, his body was poised to explode.

  He forced himself to loosen his grip. “Move, baby. Make yourself come. Hurry.”

  She’s dead-set against him. He’s dead certain he can change her mind…

  Position Secured

  © 2010 Olivia Brynn

  Marienna Valdez has a cop allergy. Their cocky, superior attitudes never fail to turn her stomach. How fitting that her reward for enduring a perfectly sucky work week is a traffic ticket from one that’s on the kind of overblown power trip she learned to hate when she was growing up surrounded by boys in blue.

  But now she’s finally home, where she prepares to take the edge off with a well-deserved self-love session. Just as she gets settled in with her favorite toys, though, what should come barreling through her bedroom door but…another cop!

  SWAT team sniper Marcus Pearson doesn’t need detective skills to figure out just what he’s interrupted. If he can keep Marienna quiet long enough to resolve the tense situation under her bedroom window, he intends to put down his rifle and take aim at her aversion to the badge…

  Warning: This title contains one sheet-wrapped, cop-and-damsel burrito with toys on the side. Extra batteries included.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Position Secured:

  “Alpha confirm. Subject in custody.” After a moment, he stood, one smooth movement unfolding his body. Mari yanked her hand away from her pussy, almost whimpering at the injustice. She gathered the opening of her robe in two handfuls. He removed the magazine from the rifle, then carefully took the single round from the chamber. His movements showed none of the stress she would expect to see. Each was practiced, smooth and deliberate, as if he trained a deadly weapon on people every day. Perhaps he did. He straightened and scanned the room before looking through the doorway to meet her eyes.

  “Echo three to Alpha base. One witness to debrief. Echo three out.”

  He pulled the headset from his ear, and it dangled off his shoulder. Mari took her first good look at him facing her, and she had those damn visions from her fantasy stuck in her head.

  But the man in her fantasy burned hot and wild, and this guy was cool as a slab of marble and showed just as much emotion. Maybe he was a robot. He was
a cop after all. “I’m sorry I had to startle you, ma’am. I appreciate your assistance.” His voice didn’t fluctuate from the deep, even tone.

  Mari nodded. “No one was hurt?”

  “No. A struggle, but no shots fired.” He jerked his chin toward the window. “Seems some pretty shady deals have been going on right outside your bedroom window. Probably while you were in here sleeping…” His gaze swept over the bed and fixed on her vibrator.

  Heat flooded her face. Her heart, confused at the roller coaster of emotions, pounded painfully. She pressed her thighs together to quell the need flaring in her heated sex.

  “You said you were in the middle of something?”

  Great. He had a photographic memory. Mari blinked, bringing him back into focus. His smirk might have sent a lesser woman running for cover, but Mari saw the intrigue behind those blue eyes. She didn’t stop to think that it might just be her hormones bouncing around like fireflies in a jar. She folded her arms across her chest, lifted her chin and raised an eyebrow.

  “That’s right. I’d like to get back to my…” she paused meaningfully, “something now, if you don’t mind.”

  He walked toward her. Swaggered would be a better word. He paused at the foot of the bed and, without releasing her from his stare, he reached over and scooped Bob up off the pillows.

  Holy hell. There was no way she misinterpreted that hungry look. The man almost drooled and bared his teeth like a cartoon wolf. Mari blinked again, just in case her imagination and libido were still salsa dancing in her brain.

  Two more steps toward her and he lifted her vibrator to his nose and made a show of smelling the pink silicone. His eyes drifted half closed. She bit her lower lip to stifle the moan.

  “I can’t tell you how sorry I am for interrupting you.” His voice dropped to an intimate pitch, and Mari released the breath she’d been holding. “If there’s any way I can make it up to you…” He stopped once their clothes brushed. The back of her head hit the wall when she lifted her chin to meet his eyes. Heat from his body surrounded her. His musky scent wafted up to her nose, surrounding her. She sucked a deep breath, indulging in that male smell. “I took an oath to protect and…to serve.” His breath fanned her face.