Release blitz - Indecent Exposure by Faye Avalon

Indecent Exposure by Faye Avalon

Book blurb

She’s gotten herself into hot water, and the heat just keeps on rising.

Gina McKenzie didn’t make the same mistakes her mother made with men. She just made different ones. Like letting a good one get away—and trusting a bad one to keep her kinky tastes private.

With an ex-lover holding a naked bondage video over her head, she’s forced to reunite with an old college crush to get the dirty on him. Back then, she resorted to humiliating Mitchell Coleman to keep her heart safe. Now she has no choice but to compromise him in the worst possible way.

When Gina walks back into Mitchell’s life and starts seducing him, desire wars with suspicion. Last time this happened, she tossed him to the wolves. If she’s going to serve herself up on a plate, he intends to make her see exactly what she missed by rejecting him all those years ago.

But Mitch soon realizes that Gina has an agenda other than heating up the sheets—and this time he’s not going to let her play him for a fool. 

Buy Links

Samhain Publishing: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5441/indecent-exposure

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1GjHubG

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1OyItYZ

Excerpt

“Your place or mine?”

He gave her one of those long appraising looks that set her pulse racing. “I keep searching for the hidden message here.”

She shrugged and hoped to heaven her casual manner was convincing. Especially since her stomach was now doing serious somersaults. “I find you attractive. I’d say it’s reciprocated, unless I’m no longer an expert at reading men’s signals. And we’re both adults. Neither of us are in a serious relationship. Why can’t we act on our impulses?”

“Where do you live?”

Hell, this was really going to happen. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or terrified. She pushed away her half finished meal, her throat tight. “Putney.”

“My place is nearer. Chelsea.”

With her heart beating out of her chest, she glanced away. Could she really go through with this? Could she do this to him?

Before she could question that further, he huffed out a laugh. “Seems you’re still playing the same games.”

She looked back at him. “Meaning what?”

“Coming on to me, but backing off every time I get close to taking you up on what you’re offering. The one consolation is at least this time I can read the signals.”

To hide the fact he hadn’t entirely missed the mark, she shook her head. “And still I don’t know what you mean.”

“Signals. Signs.” Raising his wine glass, he nodded toward her lap. “I’ll bet your knees are clamped so tightly together right now, I wouldn’t get between them if I tried.”

Deliberately, she relaxed her knees. “Maybe I’m worried you’re planning to get back at me for stealing your pants that time.”

His eyes sparkled, but she couldn’t be sure if it was with humor or wicked intent. “I’ve forgiven you for that. Despite the humiliation you caused me.”

“Huh. Some humiliation. I bet your friends slapped you on the back for almost getting me naked, before assuring you I wasn’t worth worrying about.”

She knew she had a reputation in college. That she led most of the guys on before unceremoniously dumping them. But despite her frivolous reputation, she never slept around.

“Most of them called me an idiot for letting you get away with it so easily, but they didn’t know what I knew.”

“What was that?”

He pursed his lips. “My theory. About you.”

“Which is?”

“I think you’re all talk. You always were.”

“And you’d know, of course. Seeing as you’re an expert on women.”

“I know my way around them.”

She bet he did.

Author Bio

Faye Avalon enjoys writing sexy stories about strong men and the savvy women who rock their world. She has taken a roundabout journey toward her writing career, working as cabin crew, detouring into property development, public relations and education, before finally finding her passion: writing spicy romantic fiction.

Faye lives with her super-supportive husband and they regularly expand their family by boarding puppies destined to become guide dogs. Between writing, reading, running around after manic puppies and grabbing some quality time with her husband, Faye enjoys relaxing with a calming yoga session or spending a night at the movies.

A keen yoga enthusiast/teacher, Faye loves to travel, follow F1 motor racing, decorate the house when the mood takes and, of course, hit the keyboard at every opportunity to write. She holds a BA in Humanities and MA in Education.

Links

Website:  http://www.fayeavalon.com

Blog: http://www.fayeavalon.wordpress.com

Twitter: @faye_avalon

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/faye.avalon.1

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/fayeavalon1/

Book review - Closed Set by Julia Harlow (erotic romance) 4 stars

Closed Set by Julia Harlow

Erotic romance 

4/5 stars 

Synopsis 

Cassandra Carlson is working on her five-year plan. A professional dancer, she moved to Los Angeles to work at her best friend's Hollywood dance studio. She decides she can put up with the glitterati for the time being until she saves enough to open her own studio back home. 

When soon-to-be A-list British actor Christopher Edwards comes to her for dance lessons for his new film, the attraction is instantaneous and intense. Both are young, available and strikingly beautiful, but while she finds Hollywood garish and superficial, he's on the brink of realizing his life's ambition with no inclination for a serious relationship. 

Just when their white-hot desire can no longer be denied, a jealous actress targets Cassandra in an insidious scheme and a powerful studio head poses a formidable threat to them both. Cassandra puts herself in jeopardy in order to protect Christopher but will she lose him in the process?

Purchase Links 

Amazon

Amazon.co.uk

Goodreads

Review 

Closed Set is an exciting, suspenseful, hot book that I enjoyed.  I started off thinking it was going to be a sweet, gentle romance but it was actually extremely sexy with lots of heat, danger and emotion.  The heroine didn't seem to have a lot of luck - well apart from attracting a gorgeous Hollywood actor that it - and I really felt for her with everything she went through.

Cassandra is a professional dancer working at her friend's dance studio while saving up to run her own dance school away from the fake Hollywood lifestyle.  British actor Christopher is set to hit the big time and fulfil his life's ambition.  When he meets the dance instructor for his latest movie sparks start to fly. The attraction is instant, the chemistry undeniable, but forces are working to keep them apart.

I really liked Cassandra, she is such a strong woman, but I'll admit to not being so keen on Christopher.  Initially I did like him, but his reaction to various events didn't impress me and I went off him. He is very sexy though! I do think these too have more to tell, so I would be interested in there being a sequel for this pair.  I'm not going to say much else as I'm wary of giving anything away and ruining the suspense, but I will finish by saying this is an exciting, interesting story that is as hot as hell. Four glittering Hollywood stars!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Release blitz - Veronica: Fragrant Courtesans Book One by Siobhan Daiko

Veronica: Fragrant Courtesans Book One by Siobhan Daiko

Blurb

“So fragrant and delightful do I become, when I am in bed with someone who, I feel, adores and appreciates me, that the joy I bring exceeds all pleasure, so the ties of love, however close they seemed before, are knotted tighter still.”

Venice, Italy, 16th Century. 

Trapped in unhappy marriage, Veronica uses her wits to escape and takes the only other option open to her. After learning the art of seduction, she becomes a courtesan and gives herself to many rather than being owned by one. 

A talented poet and writer, she courts the cultural élite for fame and fortune.

But when disaster strikes and her life begins to unravel, will she finally give her heart to a man? And will she be strong enough to hold her own in a man’s world?

Advisory: Sensuously erotic, 18+

Universal buy link

http://viewbook.at/Veronica_FC1

Author Bio

Siobhan Daiko is an author of romantic historical fiction and a new series of erotic novellas featuring famous courtesans – strong women who held their own in a man’s world. A lover of all things Italian, Siobhan lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband and two cats. After a life of romance and adventure in Hong Kong, Australia and the UK she now spends her time, when she isn’t writing, enjoying the dolce vita near Venice. 

Website

https://siobhandaiko.wordpress.com/

http://fragrantpublishing.com/

Social Media

Facebook, Twitter @FCourtesans

Book review - Strangers In The Night by Jaycee Edward & HelenaStone(m/m BDSM romance) 4 stars

Strangers In The Night by Jaycee Edward and Helena Stone

M/m BDSM romance 

4/5 stars 

Synopsis 

When Army veteran Slade stumbles upon an isolated cottage on a cold, dark night, the young man finds more than just the shelter he’s seeking.

Former club Dominant Callum is surprised to find a handsome stranger knocking at his door but invites him in despite his reservations. A nightmare reveals Slade’s deep-seated emotional issues, and Callum knows he needs to get creative if he’s going to help Slade leave the past behind.

Neither man is prepared for the feelings Slade’s introduction into the world of BDSM will unleash, and thirty-six hours will either be enough to bind them, or they will remain forever strangers in the night.

Purchase Links 

Amazon

Amazon.co.uk

Goodreads

Book review 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review.

Strangers In The Night was a difficult book for me to rate and review, I've been going back and forth between three and four stars for a couple of days now.  I finally decided on four stars because I enjoyed the story and really liked the characters, I just had a couple of issues with the book.  These issues stemmed from one problem - it was too short.  This story had such promise, but because it was so short key issues weren't given enough time to be developed and resolved properly.  That being said, I still enjoyed it and it's a good read, it just could have been so much more.  I'm really hoping that there will be a sequel so that the story can be expanded upon.

Callum is surprised to find a frozen, handsome stranger on his doorstep, but against his better judgement he invites him in. Former soldier Slade has many issues resulting from his time in the military, but Dom Callum thinks he has a solution to help him.

This book only covers a few days, so the trust between developed a little quickly for my tastes, but I didn't find this a major problem.  This book is hot, I really enjoyed the BDSM scenes between Callum and Slade.  I really liked Callum, although I would love to know more about his background - I'm sure there must be a story behind him living in such an isolated cottage.  Slade is just adorable, and I really felt for him after everything he's been through.  I'm really hoping that this is the start of a series and there's a sequel, as these two have so much left to tell and Slade still has so much to work through.  Strangers In The Night gets four out of five stars.

Release blitz & giveaway - Coming to Hale by Marie James

Title: Coming to Hale

Series: Hale Series Book 1

Author: Marie James

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Date: May 29, 2015

The only time she trusted someone with her heart, she was just a girl; he betrayed her and left her humiliated. Since then, Lorali Bennett has let that moment in time dictate her life.

Ian Hale, sexy as sin business mogul, has never had more than a passing interest in any particular woman, until a chance encounter with Lorali, leaves a lasting mark on him.

Their fast paced romance is one for the record books, but what will happen when Ian’s secrets come to light? Especially when those secrets will cost her everything she spent years trying to rebuild.

This is a standalone contemporary novel. The next book in the Hale series is Alexa and Garrett’s story: Begging for Hale.

Recommended for readers 18 and up due to strong language and explicit sexual content.

Amazon Amazon CA Amazon UK Amazon AU

​

I can feel every soft inch of her body, a sharp contrast to my hard muscles. Her eyes are no longer hooded; they stare up at me with…anticipation? No. Fear. She’s afraid of me. Too aggressive Ian, take it down a notch.

“Don’t,” I command.

“Don’t what?” she whispers, her voice trembling

“Be so disrespectful of yourself.” I tell her.

“Just stating the obvious.” Her eyes are turning from fear to more of annoyance. Lorali my feisty girl! 

I gaze down at her, fighting a losing battle, knowing I have to taste her or I’d not make it through the night.

“I think the only thing obvious about this situation is how much I want you,” I say, bending my head down to whisper in her ear. “My body is aching for you, Lorali. I want you so bad.”

“I think you’re playing some sort of game, and frankly I don’t appreciate being the object of it,” she huffs, stiffening her spine and glaring back at me.

“I can assure you this is no game for me, Lorali, although you do seem to take pleasure in denying me.” It’s my turn to grow frustrated at her. Who does she think she is putting words in my mouth, questioning my intentions?

“It’s a game to you. Find the most common person here; seduce her, then walk away, all the while laughing about how you were able to get some commoner so hot she’d drop her panties for you. You don’t want me; you want the thrill of the power that it gives you.” The irritated look on her face is increasing my annoyance.

“I don’t want you? Tell that to my cock,” I growl as I grind my erection against her.

She doesn’t even know me, how does she have such a distorted opinion of me? It may take some time, but I’ll show her that I’m not some sort of womanizer. I bend my head down further, breathing in her scent. Mmm. Lavender. Not able to deny myself a second longer, I brush my lips down the column of her neck, pausing briefly over her pulse point. I can hear her sharp intake of breath.

I pull my head back and focus on her beautiful, pouty lips, only briefly denying myself the exquisite way I know she’ll feel and how sweet her lips will taste. Having waited as long I can, I lean in, fully ready to take her mouth, simultaneously trying to talk myself down as to avoid attacking her like a rabid animal. I brush my lips against hers, using every ounce of restraint in my body.

“Stop,” she whispers, her breath ghosting against my lips.

“I can’t,” I growl as I crush my lips against hers.

Marie James, full-time working mother of two boys and wife of 11 years. I've spent almost my entire lifetime living in central Texas, with only short stays in South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. I've always wanted to write novels and just recently had the gumption to sit down and start one. My passions include reading everything under the sun and sewing. I even listen to audio books while sewing. Coming to Hale is my debut novel and book 1 in the 4 book Hale Series. I have several other story lines worked out for other books once this series is complete. Reading and writing is my happy place. Hope you enjoy my debut novel.

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Guest post, 5* review & giveaway - Native Tongue by Lucy Felthouse

Blurb

They may be back on British soil, but the battle isn’t over.

When Captain Hugh Wilkes fell for his Afghan interpreter, Rustam Balkhi, he always knew things would never be easy. After months of complete secrecy, their return to England should have spelt an end to the sneaking around and the insane risks. But it seems there are many obstacles for them to overcome before they can truly be happy together. Can they get past those obstacles, or is this one battle too many for their fledgling relationship?

Buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/native-tongue/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25462496-native-tongue

**For those of you that haven’t yet read Desert Heat (which is recommended before picking up this book), there’s a great value two book bundle available exclusively on Amazon, and is FREE to Kindle Unlimited members: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/desert-heat-native-tongue/ **

Guest Post

Researching Native Tongue by Lucy Felthouse (@cw1985)

When it came to writing Native Tongue, there wasn’t actually that much research involved. Its predecessor, Desert Heat, with it being set in Afghanistan, and centred heavily around the military, needed lots of research. Lots. Fortunately I have a friend who helped me out in that regard, an ex-serving soldier who answered all my endless questions, gave me lots of useful information and even read through the story when it was done to make sure I hadn’t gotten anything wrong.

This time, it was quite a relief not to have to go through that level of research again. It was just a case of small fact checking type things—like checking train times and routes, how long it would take to drive from one place to another, how to get from place A to place B on the London Underground, and so on. I could do all that from the comfort of my own computer with the able assistance of Google and Google Maps.

I did, however, towards the end, suddenly think of something. I contacted my friend and fired off a few questions, and I’m really glad I did, because if I’d continued the way I was going, it wouldn’t have been accurate. Chances were nobody might have noticed, since they’d have to have a working, intimate knowledge of the way the British Army works, but there was no way I was taking that risk. I really wanted to make sure it was correct. So I’m very thankful that my friend was able to put me right in that regard—it was only one small piece of the story, but at least now I can relax in the knowledge that it’s accurate to real life!

Thank you for stopping by. Be sure and enter the giveaway, and also I’d love for you to visit me on the rest of the stops on this blog tour!

Happy Reading,

Lucy x

Review 

Native Tongue is the sequel to Desert Heat but can be read as a standalone, although you'd probably enjoy it more if you read Desert Heat first.  This is a short and sexy novella that left me with a smile on my face.  The writing style is really easy to read and the story flows nicely.  Native Heat manages to be both sweet and sexy and is a great read.

After falling in love in Afghanistan, Captain Hugh Wilkes and his former Afghan interpreter Rustam Balkhi are back on British soil but there are still hurdles they need to overcome.  They no longer have to sneak around, but Hugh has yet to come out to his family, friends and colleagues.  They are endearingly awkward with each other when they meet up for the first time in weeks, but things soon heat up between them.  There were a lot of steamy moments in this book, but there was real love and emotion behind it - it was making love not just f*****g. 

Both Hugh and Rustam are utterly adorable, you can't help but fall in love with them.  The story was told entirely from Hugh's point of view, I would have liked to hear from Rustam as well but this is just a personal preference.  This is a great short read that gets five stars.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Excerpt

Locking his car and heading for his accommodation in the Officers’ Mess, he found himself looking forward to a nice shower and an early night, with maybe a few text message exchanges with Balkhi in between. He at least wanted to know Balkhi had arrived back home safely before going to sleep.

On his way there, he decided to pop into the kitchen for a drink and a snack to take back to his room. He hoped he wouldn’t see anyone, so he could grab what he wanted and escape to the solitude of his room, but it wasn’t to be.

A voice called out, “All right, Wilkes?”

Hiding the cringe he so badly wanted to let out, Wilkes turned to the owner of the voice. Captain Tom Wolfe was a good mate, and one he’d seen a fair amount of since they’d both returned from Afghanistan—Wolfe had done the tour before Wilkes, but transport screw ups meant they’d only had the briefest of handovers. But right now, he wasn’t really in the mood for chatting. Still, he didn’t want to upset his friend and colleague, either, so he forced a grin onto his face and strode over.

“All right, Wolfe? How’s it going?”

“Not bad thanks, mate, not bad. What about you? Where’ve you been? Haven’t seen you around much lately—you finally got yourself a girlfriend?”

Shit. You had to fucking ask, didn’t you?

It took a monumental amount of effort to keep the smile on his face as he replied, “Just got back from Wolverhampton. It was my dad’s birthday this weekend, so there was a big family do. It was great seeing everyone—it’s been a while since we all got together.”

Something in his tone or body language clearly didn’t sit right with Wolfe, because he narrowed his eyes. “That’s nice, mate, but you haven’t really answered the question now, have you? That’s this weekend covered... but what about the one before that?”

Wilkes shrugged. “This and that. What’s this, anyway, one hundred questions?”

Now Wolfe’s eyebrows rose. “Now I know you’re hiding something. Come on, out with it. Who is she?” He cooed mockingly. “Tell your uncle Wolfe.”

It was then that Wilkes realised this was it. This was the “good moment” he’d been waiting for. With Wolfe, anyway. Glancing around to make sure no one was listening, he said quietly, “Actually, mate, you got a minute? Can we have a word in private?”

Frowning, Wolfe nodded. “Of course, mate.”

“Let me just grab a drink and something to eat and we’ll head to my room.”

A few minutes later and the two men were installed in Wilkes’ accommodation. Wilkes took a gulp of the tea he’d made, to buy himself a moment to screw up his courage, and regretted it as the scalding liquid travelled down his throat. Coughing and spluttering, he put the drink down and struggled to compose himself.

Author Bio

Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over 100 publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include several editions of Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women's Erotica 2013 and Best Erotic Romance 2014. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies, and also edits for a small publishing house. She owns Erotica For All, is book editor for Cliterati, and is one eighth of The Brit Babes. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9

Giveaway 

Make sure to follow the whole tour—the more posts you visit throughout, the more chances you’ll get to enter the giveaway. The tour dates are here: http://www.writermarketing.co.uk/prpromotion/blog-tours/currently-on-tour/lucy-felthouse-13/

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Book tour, 5* review & giveaway - Delivered Fast by Annabeth Albert

Delivered Fast

Portland Heat #3

By: Annabeth Albert

Releasing May 26th, 2015

Kensington

Blurb 

Portland, Oregon, aka Hotlandia, where the coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries are ready to serve everything piping hot, fresh, and ready to go—like the hard-working, hard-bodied men behind the counters—with no reservations…

Sure, Chris O’Neal has problems. His restaurant is still co-owned by his ex. His flannel-and-tattoos style is making him accidentally trendy. He can’t remember the last time he went out and had fun. But he’s not lonely, he’s driven. And the hot bakery delivery boy is not his problem, no matter how sweet his buns.

Chris is old enough to know Lance Degrassi’s sculpted good looks and clever double entendres spell nothing but trouble. Lance is still in college—he should be hitting the clubs and the books, chasing guys his own age, not pursuing some gruff motorcycle-riding workaholic. Especially when he’ll be leaving for grad school in a few months. But Lance keeps hanging around, lending a hand, charming Chris to distraction. Maybe some steaming hot no-strings indulgence won’t hurt.

Then again, maybe it will…

Buy Links:    

Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/03/delivered-fast-portland-heat-3-by.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23450162-delivered-fast 

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/144476-portland-heat

Review 

Delivered Fast is the third book in the Portland Heat series and it is definitely my favourite of the three books.  Like the other two, it is novella length and told from the sole point of view of the main characters (in this case Chris).  I really enjoyed this book, it is a charming love story between two very different men with a good amount of heat.  It's low angst and is a nice easy read.

Chris is thirty five years old, tattooed, a bit grumpy and co-owns a coffee shop with his ex, Randy.  Chris doesn't have time for a relationship and has been celibate for over two years.  He also has some emotional baggage and insecurities left over from his relationship with Randy.  He is attracted to the young bakery delivery driver, Lance, but he doesn't think that the attraction is mutual - until Lance starts flirting with him.  Lance is thirteen years younger than Chris, and is like a walking ray of sunshine.  Can there ever be anything more than flirting between this chalk and cheese pairing?

I did really like Chris - possibly because I'm also thirty five and a bit grumpy! And you can't help but fall in love with Lance, he is so sweet and adorable. Oh and I loved Scruffy the fish too! I enjoyed watching Chris fall for Lance, despite his attempts to keep them as friends.  The age gap wasn't important to Lance, but Chris made a big deal of it and struggled to understand what Lance saw in an older guy like him. This book was pretty steamy, I think it was hotter than the first two books.  Lance seemed to bring out a dirty talking alpha in Chris, which was fun to see.

I'm hoping that there is more to come from this series - Chris' skateboarding employee definitely has a story to tell.  Delivered Fast is a sexy, gentle romance that gets five out of five stars.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Author Info

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

Website: http://www.annabethalbert.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert 
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert 
Tumblr http://www.annabethalbert.tumblr.com/ 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477494.Annabeth_Albert

Excerpt

The delivery boy had sweet buns. Not to mention prize-winning  rolls. He wore a pair of those fancy over-the-ear headphones and shimmied around the white bakery truck, his hips and ass working in time to what was apparently a killer beat. Even the way he climbed into the back of the truck was a choreographed dance. I wasn’t usually one to get distracted by eye candy, but that ass . . . 

I’d propped open the service door at the rear of my coffee shop about fifteen minutes earlier, hoping to coax a cool breeze into the stuffy storeroom where I’d been working. I leaned against the door frame, appreciating the unexpectedly fine view in the alley.

When the guy emerged from the truck—headphones around his neck, carrying a stack of pink boxes—I pushed away from the door and met him at the edge of the concrete steps. I tried to play it cool, like I hadn’t spent the last five minutes perving on his world-class bubble butt.

“You’re not Vic,” I said as I ushered him into the hallway that led back to the kitchen and storeroom. 

“Nope. I’m Lance, Vic’s cousin. I’ll be handling your deliveries from here on out.” His smile—a wide, toothy grin—was almost as adorable as his butt. The only resemblance he had to my usual beefy delivery guy was in the chiseled facial features and light olive skin. He looked like he’d be right at home playing World Cup soccer for Italy with his wide shoulders, lean torso, muscular thighs and legs. And that ass. 

Which I was going to stop thinking about right the hell now. He was too young—I could see that even more clearly under the fluorescent lights of my kitchen. Early twenties, if that. His gelled-up black hair fell across his forehead in artfully bleached strands. Too high maintenance for my taste. 

“I’m Chris O’Neal. Here, let me help you with those.” Taking part of the stack from him, I showed him the metal racks where I stashed recent deliveries. 

“Nice setup you’ve got here.” Lance looked around the cramped but efficient kitchen area. 

“Thanks.” Most of The People’s Cup square footage was devoted to the coffee bar and seating area in the front, so I made do in the back with my organization system, which bordered on the obsessive. I’d installed floor-to-ceiling shelving on every wall, including over the cooktop and counters. The center prep table was where most of the action happened, and its broad expanse was covered with the beginnings of several dishes for tomorrow’s Sunday brunch.

“I’ve been here before with friends from PSU—for your Sunday thing. And during the week once or twice to study.” 

I made a noncommittal noise. Great. A college kid. As if I needed to feel like more of an old, cranky perv. 

“Let’s get the rest of the boxes.” I herded him back out to the alley. I was eager to get him and his distracting ass on his way. I had several more hours of staging work ahead of me to prepare for Sunday’s buffet. During the week we were just another coffeehouse, but we were known all over Portland for our Sunday brunch. 

“So are you the owner? This all yours?” Lance asked as he got another load of boxes from the truck. 

“Yeah. Mine and my partner’s. Business partner.” I fumbled the stack of boxes he handed me. Why had it felt so necessary to make that qualification? Like the kid would be in any way interested in my messed-up business relationship with my stubborn bastard of an ex. 

Despite his pretty-boy looks, the kid was probably straight; he had a confident swagger girls his age likely found irresistible. 

“I’ve been to your other place, too—the one in Northwest. Did the delivery there earlier. I like this location better.” 

“Me too,” I said, my voice drier than gin. “Randy give you any issues?” 

Randy had his location; I had mine. Our relationship had turned into something out of a bad chick flick, except there wasn’t any cute ending coming. 

“Randy? Nah. It was some girl named Becky, with a nose ring and huge gauges.” 

I nodded. That sounded about right for Randy’s taste. And I was not going to care whether he was banging her or how long she’d last as an employee. His shitty employee turnover wasn’t my problem. I’d washed my hands of what happened at the 23rd Street store. 

“You want a cup of coffee for the road?” I asked before I could stop myself. It was the same courtesy I’d always extended to his cousin and to most of our other delivery people, but somehow my offer felt tinged with more than politeness. 

“What do you have on offer today?” His grin was more than a little wicked. 

Wouldn’t you like to know? I bit back the flirtatious retort. And what the hell was up with that? I did not flirt. Hell, anything other than bitter and grumpy hadn’t been my MO for months now.  

*****

Can Lance bring out the softer side of this cranky chef? Find out in DELIVERED FAST!

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