Release Blitz & Giveaway: Point of Redemption by Stacey Lynn

Title: Point of Redemption (Nordic Lords MC, #2)

Author: Stacey Lynn

Publication Date: July 30, 2014

 

   

Synopsis

Lies. Heartbreak. Betrayal. No one knew the devastation of those three words more than Faith Winston and five years ago, she endured every one of them. All she wanted was to feel safe and marry the very man who promised to love her and protect her, Ryker Knight. But growing up in the Nordic Lords Motorcycle Club, she should have known she couldn’t have a happy ending. Instead, her world became a nightmare. The bikers—her family—abandoned her, leaving her to crash without their safety net. Ryker Knight has spent the last five years consumed with guilt, running from the ghosts that haunt him. That is until his past catches up with him the moment his brother needs his help. Returning home to Jasper Bay, he’s forced to face the same ghosts he was running from. Only to find that the woman he loved is trapped in a hell of her own, entrenched behind enemy lines —and it’s all his fault. And even though Ryker’s life comes with priorities that he can’t – and won’t - turn his back on, he refuses to leave Jasper Bay until he’s found Faith. But will she want to return to the life she’s always wanted even if Ryker is no longer capable of giving her what he once promised?    

Amazon US: http://bit.ly/poredemption
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1tltQ2j
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/X9rAOe
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1k5uTjR

Point of Return (Nordic Lords MC, #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Goodreads

 

About the Author

Amazon Bestselling Author of the Just One Song series, Don't Lie to Me, Remembering Us and the Nordic Lords MC series. I am a wife, a mom, and a writer. I can often be found curled up on the couch with a good book, or obsessively eating Skittles in a very complicated and organized manner. No joke.

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Blog

 

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Release Blitz & Excerpt: Lead by Kylie Scott

I'm so excited for the release of Lead by Kylie Scott. I read both Lick and Play and loved these two books, but I am beyond excited to read Jimmy's story! 

 

Title: Lead (Stage Dive, #3)

Author: Kylie Scott

Publication Date: July 29, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

 

   

Synopsis

Stay up all night with the sexy rockers in Stage Dive, the epic rock star romance series from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott, author of Lick and Play. As the lead singer of Stage Dive, Jimmy is used to getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants it, whether it's booze, drugs, or women. However, when a PR disaster serves as a wake-up call about his life and lands him in rehab, he finds himself with Lena, a new assistant to keep him out of trouble. 　 Lena's not willing to take any crap from the sexy rocker and is determined to keep their relationship completely professional, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when Jimmy pushes her too far and Lena leaves, he realizes that he may just have lost the best thing that ever happened to him.   

Excerpt

“Lena, you seen my old black Led Zep shirt?” “Nope.” “You sure?” His brows became one dark cranky line. The scratches on his face were healing well, thank goodness. Though it didn’t reduce my desire to throttle his mother on a daily basis. “Yes. I haven’t seen it.” Can’t find it anywhere…” “And this is a surprise, how?” I slipped my hands into my back jean’s pockets. “Jimmy, you own more clothing than Cher, Brittney, and Elvis, put together. Things are bound to go missing.” “Sure you haven’t seen it?” “For goodness sake, what do you think, Jimmy? That I stole it to sleep in or something?” I laughed bitterly. Sure as hell, the truth deserved a good mocking. I’d sunk so despicably low. I hadn’t even meant to steal the stupid thing, but the shirt had been mixed up with my laundry a few days ago. It’d been the first top I laid my hand on after stepping out of the shower, ready to go to bed. Without thought, I’d put it on and it’d been so soft, the scent of him lingering beneath the laundry detergent. Every night since, I’d found myself in it come bedtime. My shame knew no limits. And no, I still hadn’t quit. The words still hadn’t come even close to leaving my mouth. He frowned. “No.” “That I have some deep secret longing to feel close to you resulting in my stealing your shirt like some creepy perv?” “Course I don’t fucking think that,” he replied crankily, reaching up to grip the top of the doorframe. All of his bulging muscles stretched the arms of his white T-shirt in the nicest way. It was all I could do not to start drooling, my heart beat taking up residence somewhere down between my thighs. And who could blame it? Not me. Maybe if I got laid, this would go away and things would return to normal. It’d seemed safer to avoid rubbing up against any men just in case I got carried away and started dating again. This new situation, however, changed everything. “Well, of course not! That would be crazy.” And wasn’t that the god’s honest truth? Cray-zeee. Lock me up and throw away the key because it wasn’t like I didn’t know better. “Just can’t figure out where the hell it could be.” Angels couldn’t have smiled as innocently. They might have tried, but they would have failed, the dirty-mouthed, winged, little liars. “Jimmy, I don’t know where it is. But I’ll look around for it later, okay?” “Yeah,” he said, and then added as an afterthought, “and stop looking at me weird.” “I’m not!”   

The Stage Dive series by Kylie Scott

Lick (Stage Dive #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | B&N | Goodreads

Play (Stage Dive #2)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | B&N | Goodreads

Lead (Stage Dive, #3)

Amazon US |  Amazon UK | Amazon AU | B&N | iTunes

 

Coming January 6^th, 2015

Deep (Stage Dive #4)

Pre - Order

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | B&N | Goodreads

   

About Kylie Scott

Kylie is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

 

Check out more of Kylie’s work

The Flesh series | Colonist’s Wife | Heart’s A Mess

 

Release Blitz & Giveaway: Eluded by Lyra Parish

Title: Eluded

Author: Lyra Parish

Publication Date: July 28, 2014

 

 

Synopsis

Lives intersect only to be changed indefinitely... 

Lauren 
This isn't your typical girl meets boy.
There isn't a glass slipper or Prince Charming.
I've lived it and now it will be told.
Welcome to my personal hell...

Derrick 
I once saved lives and now... I so easily end them.

Women are drawn to me like a moth to the flame, and like the moth not all of them continue on. Some are broken, others are damaged, and a few never make it out... but it's their decision to live. Only they often don't know that until it's too late.

F*ck the rules, I create my own in a world where I have nothing left to lose. Living is a game, and I'm the reigning champion by being stronger and smarter than my prey.

This is your warning. If you radiate vulnerability... Well, you could be my next victim. Don't try to hide. I'm not easily eluded.

Abbot 
It started with me and now it will end with me. 
Some people call me an uncontrollable killing monster. I f*cking laugh at the mention of the word.
Monsters have no control. 
I've got plenty. 
I don't kill without reason. I don't kill the innocent. 
I hunt the ones that deserve it, the real monsters, the ones without regret or a soul.

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00M6BOJFI

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00M6BOJFI

   

Prologue

The dream is always the same. A black van slows ahead of my sister and me as we walk home from school. When we pass, I hear the side door forcefully slide open and the hinges scream out in protest. Two men attack us. They grab us by our arms and their nails claw into our skin, causing it to break. We try to push them away and somehow manage to wriggle free. Then we run. We run like we've never run before, but they are always faster and stronger. When they catch up to us, one grabs my sister, pushes her down to the ground, and laughs. She bites his arm, leaving teeth marks and blood. This does no good though and only pisses him off. Then he slaps her in the face, yells at her, and threatens to kill her . . . but refuses to let go. They are relentless. I want to tell them that she is only ten years old, that she is no good to them, that she isn't even a woman yet, but a hand covers my mouth and an arm places me in a chokehold. My sister lets out blood-curdling cries, and all I know is that I need to save her. I kick my capturer in the knee, and he slams my body, then my head, into the cement until my vision blurs. I know I have a concussion from the brute force, but I continue to attack with everything that I have. No matter how hard I try, they take her. How can a twelve-year-old boy fight against men? He can't. I couldn't. When I think back to that day, I remember what the sky looked like after they pushed me down. It was blue like the color of the sea in Australia. Not often do I remember the sky in London being that color . . . or feeling so helpless. I'm often haunted by the look on my sister's face, and the sound of her screams and pleas as they shoved her into the van. I can still hear the revving of the engine as it hurried down the street like it was yesterday. That was the last time I felt fear. Those men stole more than my best friend and my sister. That day, they stole my soul. This time, I wake up dripping with sweat. Sometimes I am breathing rapidly or yelling, or my heart is racing so fast it pulls me from the nightmare. For the past fifteen years, I've been haunted with the memory of my sister's abduction. I used to blame myself for her having been taken. I no longer accept that burden, and I refuse to sit idly by. The underground darkness of London is at war with itself, and I've caused it. It will not end until the petty fucks that stalk my streets are destroyed. I will stop at nothing. Some people call me an uncontrollable killing monster. I fucking laugh at the mention of the word. Monsters have no control. I've got plenty. I don't kill without reason. I don't kill the innocent. I hunt the ones who deserve it—the real monsters, the ones without remorse or a soul. Sometimes people strive to be different, to step out of the fucking box, only to be misunderstood. The public doesn't understand me, but who really gives a shit? Who are they? Mice. They go to work every single day and spin the same wheel that gets them nowhere. Work. Marriage. Kids. Die. I search for adventure. I love control. When I find trouble, I make it my bitch. Most people call me Abbot. First name isn't needed. I truly believe there is power in a name. My friends respect me, my enemies fear me, and regardless of what I do, at the end of the day I am still a killer. Apparently, that's what defines me. Son, brother, leader of the Gang of London, protector, murderer . . . the only word that matters is the last one. Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage." If that's true, then where is my standing ovation for a job well done? Twisted fucks like me don't receive positive recognition. We don't deserve to be rewarded for ridding the world of horrible people, because being a murderer outweighs all the good. An eye for an eye, a finger for a finger, or blood for blood. What-the-fuck-ever. I'm not fucked-up from a horrible childhood, unless one counts my sister's abduction. Everyone tries to blame my life choices on my parents' guidance, but my actions are by choice. My mum and dad loved and supported me. They told me I could be anything I wanted when I grew up, until I became what I am today—a cold-hearted killer. No one expected that one. 

   

 

About the Author

Words make the world go round. I love to write, travel, and sing really loud at the top of my lungs in the shower. Sweet love stories (along with the dirty ones) make me gush. I am firm believer that a person can never have too many cats or cups of coffee, and that the F word is necessary.

Forget the beach! Give me a gel pen, a stack of blank paper, and beautiful mountains.

You can find Lyra's Weakness series here - https://www.goodreads.com/series/107613-weakness

Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Website/Blog

 

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Release Blitz & Giveaway: Eluded by Lyra Parish

Title: Eluded

Author: Lyra Parish

Publication Date: July 28, 2014

 

 

Synopsis

Lives intersect only to be changed indefinitely... 

Lauren 
This isn't your typical girl meets boy.
There isn't a glass slipper or Prince Charming.
I've lived it and now it will be told.
Welcome to my personal hell...

Derrick 
I once saved lives and now... I so easily end them.

Women are drawn to me like a moth to the flame, and like the moth not all of them continue on. Some are broken, others are damaged, and a few never make it out... but it's their decision to live. Only they often don't know that until it's too late.

F*ck the rules, I create my own in a world where I have nothing left to lose. Living is a game, and I'm the reigning champion by being stronger and smarter than my prey.

This is your warning. If you radiate vulnerability... Well, you could be my next victim. Don't try to hide. I'm not easily eluded.

Abbot 
It started with me and now it will end with me. 
Some people call me an uncontrollable killing monster. I f*cking laugh at the mention of the word.
Monsters have no control. 
I've got plenty. 
I don't kill without reason. I don't kill the innocent. 
I hunt the ones that deserve it, the real monsters, the ones without regret or a soul.

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00M6BOJFI

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00M6BOJFI

   

Prologue

The dream is always the same. A black van slows ahead of my sister and me as we walk home from school. When we pass, I hear the side door forcefully slide open and the hinges scream out in protest. Two men attack us. They grab us by our arms and their nails claw into our skin, causing it to break. We try to push them away and somehow manage to wriggle free. Then we run. We run like we've never run before, but they are always faster and stronger. When they catch up to us, one grabs my sister, pushes her down to the ground, and laughs. She bites his arm, leaving teeth marks and blood. This does no good though and only pisses him off. Then he slaps her in the face, yells at her, and threatens to kill her . . . but refuses to let go. They are relentless. I want to tell them that she is only ten years old, that she is no good to them, that she isn't even a woman yet, but a hand covers my mouth and an arm places me in a chokehold. My sister lets out blood-curdling cries, and all I know is that I need to save her. I kick my capturer in the knee, and he slams my body, then my head, into the cement until my vision blurs. I know I have a concussion from the brute force, but I continue to attack with everything that I have. No matter how hard I try, they take her. How can a twelve-year-old boy fight against men? He can't. I couldn't. When I think back to that day, I remember what the sky looked like after they pushed me down. It was blue like the color of the sea in Australia. Not often do I remember the sky in London being that color . . . or feeling so helpless. I'm often haunted by the look on my sister's face, and the sound of her screams and pleas as they shoved her into the van. I can still hear the revving of the engine as it hurried down the street like it was yesterday. That was the last time I felt fear. Those men stole more than my best friend and my sister. That day, they stole my soul. This time, I wake up dripping with sweat. Sometimes I am breathing rapidly or yelling, or my heart is racing so fast it pulls me from the nightmare. For the past fifteen years, I've been haunted with the memory of my sister's abduction. I used to blame myself for her having been taken. I no longer accept that burden, and I refuse to sit idly by. The underground darkness of London is at war with itself, and I've caused it. It will not end until the petty fucks that stalk my streets are destroyed. I will stop at nothing. Some people call me an uncontrollable killing monster. I fucking laugh at the mention of the word. Monsters have no control. I've got plenty. I don't kill without reason. I don't kill the innocent. I hunt the ones who deserve it—the real monsters, the ones without remorse or a soul. Sometimes people strive to be different, to step out of the fucking box, only to be misunderstood. The public doesn't understand me, but who really gives a shit? Who are they? Mice. They go to work every single day and spin the same wheel that gets them nowhere. Work. Marriage. Kids. Die. I search for adventure. I love control. When I find trouble, I make it my bitch. Most people call me Abbot. First name isn't needed. I truly believe there is power in a name. My friends respect me, my enemies fear me, and regardless of what I do, at the end of the day I am still a killer. Apparently, that's what defines me. Son, brother, leader of the Gang of London, protector, murderer . . . the only word that matters is the last one. Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage." If that's true, then where is my standing ovation for a job well done? Twisted fucks like me don't receive positive recognition. We don't deserve to be rewarded for ridding the world of horrible people, because being a murderer outweighs all the good. An eye for an eye, a finger for a finger, or blood for blood. What-the-fuck-ever. I'm not fucked-up from a horrible childhood, unless one counts my sister's abduction. Everyone tries to blame my life choices on my parents' guidance, but my actions are by choice. My mum and dad loved and supported me. They told me I could be anything I wanted when I grew up, until I became what I am today—a cold-hearted killer. No one expected that one. 

   

 

About the Author

Words make the world go round. I love to write, travel, and sing really loud at the top of my lungs in the shower. Sweet love stories (along with the dirty ones) make me gush. I am firm believer that a person can never have too many cats or cups of coffee, and that the F word is necessary.

Forget the beach! Give me a gel pen, a stack of blank paper, and beautiful mountains.

You can find Lyra's Weakness series here - https://www.goodreads.com/series/107613-weakness

Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Website/Blog

 

Giveaway!

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Release Blitz & Giveaway: Chasing Me by Cat Mason

Title: Chasing Me (Shaft on Tour, #3)

Author: Cat Mason

Publication Date: July 25, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis

Being the flashy frontman for the band Shaft definitely has its perks. Hunter Chesterfield, is infamous for exploiting them all shamelessly. When he isn't busy commanding the stage and wooing every groupie in sight, he's living for the three Bs; Bitches, Booze, and Bacon. He has it all, or so he thought.

Women have always been disposable to Hunter. Frisbees to toss away once's he had his fun. There has never been a repeat rear-ender, until Chase.

Watching his bandmate, then his brother, fall in love has him wondering if he is even capable of love at all. Insatiable sex drive aside, no one would willingly want to deal with the storm brewing behind that sexy smirk, right? But, something about his smart mouthed, fiery Tiger Lily has Hunter rethinking everything.

While Hunter reevaluates his life, someone from his past comes back to haunt him; jeopardizing his future. The media is sniffing around, latching on to everything, and anything, they can dig up, as someone seems to be feeding the monster all Shaft's dirty secrets.

Lies and betrayal mix with banter, sex and bacon as Shaft prepares to release their new album and blow into the mainstream.

Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M27OSGQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_vVo0tb1E0VWVG

iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/chasing-me/id902855078?mt=11

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-me-cat-mason/1119989954?ean=2940149800773

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/460316

Kobo: Kobo - eBooks - Chasing ME

   

Shaft on Tour

Escaping Me (Shaft on Tour, #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N  | Goodreads

Facing Me (Shaft on Tour, #2)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Goodreads

   

About the Author

Cat Mason is thirty years old and a mother to three children. She was born and raised in Granite City, Illinois which is just across the Mississippi river from St. Louis, Missouri. She currently lives in Virginia with her husband and children. Previously publishing Contemporary Romance under her real name, until she decided to lose the filter and let it all hang out. When she isn’t writing, she is reading or spending time with her friends and family.

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website

   

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Strike by Jennifer Ryder

Title: Strike (Spark, #3)

Author: Jennifer Ryder

Genre: Steamy Erotic Romance

Expected Publication Date: September 2014

   

Synopsis 

Fast. That’s how I like life, especially my two great joys: bikes and women. I’m committed to exclusively riding one, but not the other. Until April. A sexy-arse freelance photographer who’s travelled the world, and doesn’t do long walks on the beach or romantic candlelit dinners. She enjoys running with the bulls and food spicy enough to make your hair fall out. If that weren’t enough to get me hard, she rides a mean mother of a motorcycle. I’ve gotta have a taste of this wildcat. ~Spencer (Jones) I don’t do fast. Not anymore. I’ve got my career, my independence, and since I fled Spain to come back home I promised myself that I wouldn’t be put second—or third, for that matter—again. Then I meet pretty boy Spencer. He’s smooth, oozing the most potent pheromones probably known to modern science, and he’s making a move on me. One kiss was almost enough for my promise to dissolve. My head says no—my treacherous body screams yes. I’m gonna make Spencer work for it. Make him fight for the chance to have me, because I know that deep down I’m worth it. ~April MacIntyre   *The book can be read as a stand-alone, but it is best to read after the first two in the series, as the main characters in Spark and Spike continue to appear in each book in the series.*  

Spark series

Spark (Spark #1)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Goodreads

Spike (Spark #2)

Amazon US  | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Goodreads

   

About the Author

New Adult and erotic romance writer, and author of the Spark series.

A sexy imagination, a life-long love of books and a sucker for romance, Jennifer Ryder couldn't stifle her creativity any longer.

Writing steamy adult romance has become her new focus. Living on a rural property in New South Wales, Australia, she enjoys the best of city and country.

Her loving husband is ever willing to provide inspiration, and her two young cherubs, and sheep that don't see fences as barriers, keep life more than interesting.

Jennifer placed third in the International Stringybark Erotic Short Fiction Award 2013.

Facebook  | Goodreads | Twitter  | Email 

 

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Release Blitz & Giveaway: Twisted Luck by Julie Solorio

Title: Twisted Luck (Run of Luck, #1)

Author: Julie Solorio

Publication Date: July 24, 2014

 

   

Synopsis

I’m Kaitlyn.

In my life, rarely are there dull moments. I seem to land myself in these…situations a lot. I am 25, and in college (yes, still!). I have just met the most gorgeous guy, Cole, in my math class. The only problem is that he is a little guarded. Just when I start to make progress with him, my crazy elderly neighbor Marge disappears after visiting some questionable dating sites. Who the hell has even heard of bootycall.com?!

Anyway, since my best friend and roommate Hailey and I have kind of adopted Marge, we join forces with her grandson Matt to help find her. Cole even decides to join in the hunt! Along the way, we cross paths with Ben - a creeper who might also be really dangerous.

Will I be able to keep us safe and out of trouble, find Marge, and land the guy? Or will my Twisted Luck screw everything up?

Purchase the Book:

Amazon (US)  ~  Amazon (UK)  ~  B&N

 

Teaser

Who runs over a bird? They have wings! They fly! Why didn’t you fly, you stupid bird! Maybe he couldn’t fly. No, that’s not right, he was flying just seconds before his untimely death. I don’t know what to make of this, but Hailey still has wide eyes, and she hasn’t spoken. “Hails? You okay? That wasn’t your fault, you know. That was just…just crazy weird. I don’t know what it was, but it definitely was not your fault. You’re okay, right?” It’s quiet for a couple minutes and then she says quietly, “I have a dark aura.”   

About the Author

I am a mother, a wife, a substitute teacher and now a writer! I love to read and write. I discovered the world of indie books about a year and a half ago. Since then I have read over 200 books. I got in to following book blogs for recommendations and found Love Between The Sheets. They were looking for reviewers so I applied and I've been writing for those wonderful ladies since. I started my own book, Twisted Luck, somewhere along the way and I'm so excited to publish it later this year!!

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

 

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Release Blitz & Giveaway: Body, Ink, and Soul by Jude Ouvrard

Title: Body, Ink, and Soul (Ink, #1)

Author: Jude Ouvrard

Publication Date: July 25, 2014

Genre: New Adult Romance

 

Synopsis

Phoenix Silverstone more commonly known as Nix, is a twenty-one year old that has finally discovered her freedom. After living under the strict rules and protection of her mother, Nix moved out with her two best friends in a quaint little Seattle apartment. For the first time Nix is finally able to spread her wings and breathe. Together, they get a job working at a bar and for the first time everything is perfect.

Freedom, friendships, a great job and fantastic man on the verge of becoming hers. Tristan is the suave, intelligent, not to mention gorgeous law student that Nix has her eyes and heart set on. For the first time, she has her life together; that is, until her path crosses with Levi. The charming, tattooed and downright sexy bad boy that Nix knows she needs to avoid.

But when one of her friends moves out she is shocked to find that her new roommate is none other than Levi. Flirting. Desire. Undeniable temptations. Nix can’t deny the chemistry surging between them but she can’t forget her mother’s extreme hate towards bad boys.

Will Nix have the strength to listen to her heart? Or will her mother’s rules cost her everything?

 AMAZON US: http://amzn.com/B00L8FBW6M
AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00L8FBW6M

 

Excerpt

After a few seconds, a strange sensation started spreading through my body. I lifted my eyes from the photos and my heart stopped. The blood drained from my face and I was pretty certain I was going to pass out. Ink boy was standing not three feet away from me. He had that perfect, sexy grin on his face and he was obviously happy to find me here. ''Are you stalking me now, princess?'' ''Princess?'' I repeated, with a quirk of my eyebrow. ''I know, I know. Geez, I’m sorry. What are you doing here...? Phoenix?'' he asked in an alluring voice. The sound of his voice was so different here, without the club music pulsing in the background. ''What do you think I'm here for, Levi?'' ''Are you always so feisty?'' His voice sent shivers all over my body. I nodded. ''My turn to say sorry - I never know how to act around you. You’re so... different.'' ''Different? Is that all?'' he asked cockily, his lips turning up in that damn smirk. ''You have the worst pickup lines I've ever heard.'' I tried very hard not to, but I smiled for a split-second. It didn't matter that I tried to suppress it - he saw me. ''Was that a smile I saw on your lips?'' he grinned, stepping closer. ''What do you want from me?'' I asked. Why did we pick this shop? Of all the tattoo shops we could have gone to, we had to pick the one place where he hung out? What were the odds? ''You're the one who's here, in my shop, so I should be asking you what you want. Are you here for a tattoo?'' ''They're all here for a tattoo. Stop harassing my client, jackass.'' The tattoo artist who was prepping Bekka turned to grumble at Levi. Irritated, Levi looked at the tattoo artist. ''No,” he began, shaking his head. “This one is mine, Kyle. I’ll be the only one marking her.'' Levi turned back to me. ''What are you getting tonight? I’ll be taking care of you.'' I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest. ''A star. A pink star. He has the design,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, as I nodded toward Kyle. He marched over to Kyle, got the design, and looked at me again. He seemed disappointed. ''Well, I was hoping for something a bit bigger. It’ll only take fifteen to twenty minutes. Are you a virgin?'' What? Was he seriously asking me such a private question in the middle of a shop? ''Hummm...'' ''Tattoo virgin, I meant. Have you ever had a tattoo before, Phoenix?'' he asked, obviously amused by my flushed face. I shook my head and he glanced down at the design again. ''Are you sure you don’t want your star to be filled in with red? It kind of suits your skin.'' I shook my head, not certain I wanted him doing my tattoo. I didn’t want to know the artist. It would be a lot easier, a lot less intimate, a lot less personal. Not that I knew Levi well, but I was nervous around him, and factoring in the location of where I wanted the tattoo – my nerves reached an all-time high. ''Are you sure you don’t want something a little bigger? It’s a pretty small tattoo.'' ''It's the only tattoo I’m ever going to get and I don't want it any bigger. This is perfect.'' ''We’ll see about that. Where do you want it?'' he asked, his eyes roaming across my body. I pointed to the exact spot where I wanted the tattoo, my eyes never leaving his. Being so close to him was challenging, my stomach was filled with butterflies and the need to touch him and get a closer look at his ink was driving me crazy. His gaze lowered to where I was pointing, a position just about my pubic bone. ''Okay, I see,” his voice husky. “You’ll have to lower your pants or I’ll get ink all over them.'' ''Don't worry about it. It's alright.'' I wanted to shake my head at my own stupidity. I’d already admitted he made me nervous, I didn’t need to sound like such an idiot! He smiled and it’s beauty surprised me - it was like seeing him for the first time. This was a glimpse of the real Levi – not the tatted up bad boy with cheap pickup lines. My cheeks grew hot as I blushed at this latest discovery. ''Are you ready?'' He offered me his hand and I took it, not knowing why, but I did. It was almost an involuntary reaction. Val was sitting next to Bekka and they both stared at us in disbelief, their gaze taking in our joined hands. This wasn’t normal behaviour for me and both of my friends knew it. He led me to his work area. ''I’m Levi, by the way.'' ''I know, you told me your name last night. I'm Nix.'' ''I know. You can sit down here and lower your pants for me. Don't worry, I’ll be gentle.'' He was trying to hide a smile, but I wasn't stupid. I knew there was a double meaning behind his words and his smirk was due in part to my obvious discomfort.   

About Jude Ouvrard

Jude was born and raised in a small village named Lacolle. She now lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a beautiful five year old son, and has spent the last thirteen years with her partner, Cedric. She also has two dogs, BruceLee and Rocky. French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English. Besides working full time in a law firm  and being a mother, Jude has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.

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