Okay, yes I do have a smug grin on my face because I’m about to spill the beans! I know you’ve all seen Brit Babes here and there whispering to each other in hushed tones, and smiling ear to ear. You’ve probably noticed we’re looking pretty sneaky these days and you are totally right. Oooh! I can hardly stand still for the excitment, so here it goes! Here’s what all the whispering has been about!
A VALENTINE’S DAY PRESENT, JUST FOR YOU!
THE BRIT BABES ANTHOLOGY – “SEXY JUST WALKED INTO TOWN”
GO GRAB YOUR FREE/ or SHOCKINGLY DISCOUNTED COPY
THEN CURL UP WITH YOUR LOVER AND GET IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE.
Sexy Just Walked Into Town is a collection of delicious erotic and romantic stories from the Brit Babes. This group of eight British authors, which I’m proud to belong to, have put together a book of tales to tease and tantalise you, each one a sample of the individual Babes’ voices and styles. You’ll find contemporary, BDSM, same-sex loving, ménage a trois, paranormal, sporty, military, Rubenesque and more. There’s something to suit everyone here including a few Brit Babe collaborations.
Ranging from sweetly vanilla to so-hot-it-will-blow-your-mind, the Brit Babes aim to please in every literary fantasy department. Their heroes are strong, determined and soul-achingly divine and their heroines sassy, sexy and not afraid to grab what they want. Passion and pleasure is the name of the game, romance and raunch a top priority, and it all comes with a delightful sprinkle of kink.
With a whole host of awards, best-sellers and accolades between us, the Babes know you’ll find something in this anthology that will keep you turning the pages and squirming on your seat. Then, if you like what you read, check out the individual authors’ websites to investigate their collection of published works. Also visit the Brit Babes’ home on the web which acts as a library for the hundreds of books we’ve published. Tell your friends, spread the word, because one thing you can be sure of, is when the Brit Babes arrive, sexy has just walked into town!
And please, if you enjoy this anthology, leave a review. The Babes will be forever grateful.
Holly is now on tour! SourceBooks have set up a fantastic blog tour for the US release of The Initiation of Ms Holly. You can follow Rita Holly and the gang at The Mount in London on these dates at these fantastic sites. Get a private invite to The Mount in London, find out why it’s so important for us to see each other’s faces, what’s the appeal of BDSM, and get a private glimpse into what Edward really feels about Rita Holly. All of the fun and frolic is coming up in the next month, so make sure to check out the schedule below and follow the links to see just what Rita and Edward get up to.
Where to Look for The Initiation of Ms Holly on Tour:
The Initiation of Ms Holly: Book One in The Mount trilogy (Click here for: Book Two)
Journalist, Rita Holly, never dreamed sex with the mysterious Edward in the dark of a malfunctioning train would lead to a blindfolded, champagne-drenched tango, a spanking by a butch waitress, and an offer of initiation into the exclusive mysteries of The Mount. Desperate to save her threatened job, she agrees, scheming secretly to write an inside exposé on the club that will make her career. But as she delves deeper into the intrigue of The Mount and the lives of its members, she soon discovers that her heart may have other plans.
“Skillfully written to provide a provocative blend of kinky sex with subtle mystery. Simply put, this book is a page-turner for the erotic reader.” The Romance Reviews
“The Initiation of Ms. Holly is so hot I am still tingling a day after I finished reading this novel. This spicy number will heat you up and keep you fully charged for days to come.” – Coffee Time Romance
“A thoroughly enjoyable erotic read which ticks all the boxes and leaves the reader feeling satisfied with their choice of fiction… I can’t wait to see what this talented author comes up with next.” Miz Love Loves Books
I’m very excited to give a little advance invite to Smut By the Sea, Year Two! Last year was so much fun, and this year promises to be even bigger and better and smuttier. Stay tuned for more smutty news as the time gets closer.
When you think of Scarborough, many good things jump to mind. From the beach and many arcades to fish, chips and ice cream but I don’t suppose erotica is automatically one of those things. Well on the 14th June this year for the second time Smut by the Sea will take place at Scarborough library and it’s going to get really smutty.
What is it? Good question. It’s a gathering of authors and readers of erotica and erotic romance. There will be talks on Inspiration from Victoria Blisse, Writing Better Erotica from KD Grace and Social Media and promotion with Lucy Felthouse.
There’s also an afternoon stuffed full of sexy snippets read by the authors themselves, a free lunch and the unique and much loved Erotic Tombola and book stall, to feed your need for smut! If you ask nicely you can get your favourite authors to sign the books for you.
It’s a fun gathering of like-minded folk and if you want to attend you can pick up your tickets here. It’s £20 for all day and that includes your buffet lunch. A complete bargain. All the details you need can be found at http://smutbythesea.co.uk . There is still room in the reading slam, so if you’re interested in joining in with a 5 min reading (not a moment more or you get spanked!) then drop Victoria a line. Victoria @victoriablisse.co. uk (no spaces) and she’ll pencil you in!
If you live in a far flung corner of the world and can’t make it to Scarborough you can check out the advertising options so you can be with us in spirit. We’re also still looking for sponsors, if you or someone you know wants some fabulous, focused promotion then check out the Sponsor options.
I’m very happy to announce that Fulfilling the Contract is now available in eBook! Fulfilling the Contract is the second book in The Mount Seriex, following The Initiation of Ms Holly. This sequel is set in Las Vegas where the sexy, naughty fun of The Mount takes a voyeuristic turn amid the desert heat and the high rise hotels. Elsa Crane is the mysterious woman in charge of Mount Vegas. Elsa and her team sell great views for a price and, in a strange turn of events, limo driver, Nick Chase ends up being the best view ever.
To celebrate, here’s a sneak preview of some serious Mount Vegas heat.
Blurb:
Limo driver, NICK CHASE’s bad night gets worse when he picks up TANYA POVIC at a bar only to discover the explosive sex they share lands her in breach of her very strange contract. Blaming himself that Tanya will lose the large completion bonus earmarked for her mother’s surgery, Nick negotiates with her boss, the tough and mysterious ELSA CRANE, to allow him to fulfill Tanya’s contract and secure her bonus.
Elsa runs Mount Vegas, which offers voyeuristic pleasures for a price. Nick’s job, with Elsa and her quirky team, is to give clients something worth watching through the plate glass windows of Vegas’s luxury hotels and beyond. The learning curve is steep and kinky. As Nick and Elsa’s relationship sizzles and ignites more than hotel room rendezvouses are exposed. In this sequel to The Initiation of Ms Holly things get positively dangerous as Rita Holly and her team are called in from London to lend a helping hand. Bets are being placed. Will Nick fulfill the contract? Will he and Elsa take the gamble? And will they find a way to win at the high stakes, double or nothing, game of hearts?
As the elevator opened, for a split second Nick had the urge to push the down button and run. But then he thought of Elsa watching him, and he took a deep breath and moved forward.
The card key clicked in the lock and, with a sweaty palm, he pushed the door open. He knew where Deb was in the room, he knew what she was doing. But he took his time, shed his jacket and tie, and unbutton and untuck his shirt. Humming softly to himself, he slipped off his shoes and socks. He was, after all, planning a good wank in front of his scope, and he wanted to be comfortable. He wanted Elsa – and Mrs. Bromely, anticipating what would happen when he discovered the naughty maid in his hotel suite. At the bar, still standing with his back to where he knew Deb was, he poured two fingers of Glenfidich into a cut crystal tumbler and, after a sip that really wasn’t more than touching it to his lips, he turned for the encounter. Deb let out a little squeal of surprise and with way more ease than he would have thought possible, Nick found his voice. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’
Back in the control room, Elsa growled, ‘what the hell is he doing there?’
Pagan offered her a guilty look and stepped back from the monitor. ‘Mrs. Bromley decided to start her fantasy fifteen minutes early.
‘Jesus!’ She pushed him aside and shoved forward to the bank of monitors, ignoring the image of Pike inserting ever larger dildos into Beetle’s pussy while the woman squirmed and moaned helplessly from where she was tied spread eagle to the bondage bed. Elsa’s focus was totally on the image of Nick. He looked positively edible with his white shirt undone and untucked to expose the open button of his tux trousers, which rode low, just above his bronze pubic curls. Elsa’s pussy clenched at the sight, and when he spoke, she nearly gushed in her panties.
‘You’re supposed to clean my suite, not play with your pussy while you watch my neighbours fucking. That is what you were doing, isn’t it?’ Before Deb could do more than whimper, Nick moved closer and slid a hand between her legs. Deb’s eyelids fluttered and she gasped. ‘Whatever they’re doing across the way must be pretty damned good to make your little snatch so slippery.’
Elsa and Pagan both gasped as Nick gave Deb’s pussy a hard finger thrusting. Deb bit her lip and quivered all over. ‘You know, I could have you fired for this,’ Nick said. There was a slight growl in his voice, as though he suddenly spoke from a place deeper inside his chest, and the sound of it went straight to Elsa’s pussy.
‘Oh please don’t,’ Mr. Smith. I need this job.’ Deb laid on a thick southern drawl. ‘Honestly, I’ve never done anything like this before. I don’t know what came over me. Please. I’m putting my baby sister through school back in Dallas. I can’t let her down. Please Mr. Smith,’ she batted her eyelashes and shifted on his fingers. ‘I’ll do anything. Anything you ask.’
‘What were they doing over there –’ he paused long enough to look down at her name tag ‘Beth? What were they doing?’
‘The guy was licking the woman … down there, and his thing! My oh, my, it’s a whopper.’
‘Do you think he’s about to fuck her?’
‘Oh yes, Mr. Smith. I’m pretty sure.’
‘Then come on, you don’t want to miss anything do you?’ Nick pulled his fingers from Deb’s pussy and licked them, then gave her a little push until she stood once again in front of the scope. When she was bent over looking through the eyepiece, he moved in close behind her and lifted her skirt. He yanked the crotch of her panties over one buttock and cupped her ass, his thumb sliding along her crack and stroking until she shivered and moaned. ‘Here’s what’s going to happen now, Beth. You’re going to watch our horny neighbours and you’re going to give me all the juicy details.’ he thrust a hard finger into her pussy and she yelped ‘If you don’t want me to tell your superiors what I found you doing in my room, you’re going to talk dirty enough to make my cock so hard –’ he twisted her arm around behind until her palm rested on the bulge in his trousers ‘ – that all I have to do is shoot my wad up your sopping wet slit.’ He nibbled her ear. ‘Or maybe I’ll fuck you tight little asshole, Hmmm? Would you like that?’ With his thumb, he stroked her anus and she quivered all over and wriggled back tighter against his probing. ‘Mmm, I can tell you would, you naughty thing, you. Now what are they doing?’
‘Oh Mr Smith, this is so embarrassing. Please don’t make me say it.’
‘Say it –’he reached around and squeezed her tits hard, ‘– or you’ll be needing another way to pay for your sister’s education.’
Deb whimpered and shoved closer to the eyepiece. ‘He’s … he’s licking her … down there and, oh dear lord, he’s got two fingers up her… you know.’
‘Up her what, sweetheart? Use the word. Tell me where he has his filthy fingers.’
Back in the control room, Pagan stroked himself through his trousers. ‘Jesus, boss, you were worried about him not being able to do the job?’ he gasped.
Elsa shushed him and pulled up a chair in front of the monitor just as Nick, with incredible grace, kicked Deb’s legs a part and stepped in closer, rubbing his still clothed hard-on up against her exposed pussy. Deb shoved her ass back against him and he thrust so hard that the scope nearly went over. ‘You want that, Beth? You want my cock in your tight little slit? Where are the man’s fingers?’
‘Up her … up her bottom.’
‘Say it.’ He gave her a shake. ‘You’re not in Dallas anymore, honey.’
‘Up her asshole!’ she said with a sob.
‘That’s it, sugar, say the words. I want your mouth to be as filthy as you little pussy, because I like to fuck a filthy mouth as much as I do a filthy snatch. Now tell me what else they’re doing, and don’t say it like some tight ass Sunday school teacher.’
‘Oh my, oh for mercy sake! He’s licking at her … asshole and she’s wiggling and bouncing on the bed back against his tongue, and his thing. Oh for heaven sake! Mr. Smith, he’s going to put his thing, I mean his … cock up her … asshole, but I don’t know how he’s going to do it. He’s so big. Oh dear lord in heaven, Mr. Smith, he’s doing it up her ass.’
‘Doing what, hon. Tell me what he’s doing.’
‘He’s … he’s f… fucking her back there. He’s fucking her up her ass!’
Elsa held her breath as Nick dry-hump Deb through his tux trousers, his other hand working on her blouse, opening it far enough to slip his palm inside and fondle.
‘I want to see your tits, sugar. Take off your shirt.’
Deb quickly dispatched with the rest of the buttons and shimmied out of her blouse. Before she had it completely off, Nick unhooked her bra and ran his hands up to cup her. ‘Very nice, he moaned. ‘Beautiful tits. Turn around, I want to see them.’
‘But, what about the neighbours?’ Deb said.
‘I think we’ve seen enough of the neighbours for a while, and now, my naughty little maid, I think it’s time you let them see you.’
‘What?’
‘Come.’ Nick took her hand and pulled her to stand in front of the huge window. At first they both stood in profile with Nick cupping and stroking Deb’s breasts. ‘I bet my scope isn’t the only one in these hotels here. What do you bet, Beth?’
‘No, Mr. Smith. Please, I don’t want them to see me.’
‘I don’t care what you want, sweetheart. You owe me, remember?’ He bent and gave each of her breasts, starting with her nipples, a lapping tongue bath that had Deb gasping and shifting her hips and had Elsa doing her own little lap dance against the chair back in the control room. As for Pagan, she wasn’t sure he was even coherent, he was so aroused.
Then in a move that had everyone gasping, Nick turned Deb and shoved her up tight against the window. She squealed and then moaned at the feel of the cold glass. Then he moved in close behind her. ‘Now my darling, let’s us give those neighbours something to watch, shall we?’ With Deb’s upper body pressed against the window, Nick unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the floor. Then he tugged the crotch of her panties tight between her labia making her shift up onto her tiptoes with a gasp before he pulled them completely off.
‘And now that you’ve shown off those gorgeous tits, I think it’s time you showed everyone just what a filthy little pussy you have, don’t you?’
Nick turned her around and rearranged and adjusted until she stood bent over open-legged with her pout splayed right up tight against the glass. ‘You have such a filthy little snatch, don’t you, hon?’
She offered only a sob and a nod.
‘Say it!’ He pinched a nipple hard and she yelped.
‘I have a filthy little sn … snatch,’ she whimpered.
Back in the control room, Pagan unzipped his fly, and Elsa didn’t try to stop him. She was using all the self-control she had to keep her fingers out of her panties.
‘There now,’ Nick said. ‘That wasn’t so hard, was it? And while everyone is enjoying the view of your naughty little pussy, I think I’ll take full advantage of that dirty little mouth of yours.’ He pulled out his cock and shoved it, without preamble, into her mouth.’ She cried out, gagged slightly, then began to suck like it was her life’s ambition. Nick curled his fingers in the back of her hair and pulled her on and off as though she were nothing more than a fuck toy.
‘God, I hope he knows what he’s doing,’ Elsa said. ‘They’re only halfway through. He’s gotta hold his wad for at least a little longer.’
Just then Pike and Beetle rushed into the room. ‘Holy shit,’ Beetle managed.
‘Sonovabitch,’ Pike added. ‘That’s sizzling.’
On the monitor Nick pulled away and turned Deb back so that her tits were once again splayed against the window. ‘Is your slit wet, hon,’ he said, fingering in between her pussy lips, ‘because I want to fuck you now, so I need you to tell me.’
‘Yes, yes,’ she gasped, her breath steaming the window. ‘My pussy is wet.’
‘And what do you want me to do about that?’
‘I want you to fuck me. I want you to fuck my pussy,’ she cried. ‘Please.’ She opened her legs wider and pushed her hips back, and Nick shoved into her and began to thrust.
Deb was close, Elsa could tell from the way she held her breath, from the way she bore down on Nick’s cock. Then Nick grabbed her by the hair and pulled her head back sideways so he could kiss her hard on the mouth. ‘You don’t get to come until I say you can come, Beth. You were a very naughty maid and naughty maids come last and then –’ he gave a hard thrust that made her gasp ‘—then only if they’re good.’
Her breasts thud, thud, thudded against the safety glass as he fucked her. She practically went through the roof, when his arm snaked down around her waist and between her legs. His laugh was positively wicked. ‘I found your stiff little clit, hon, and believe me it wasn’t hard to find.’ He tweaked it, and she groaned. ‘Does it make you want to come when I rub it like this and pinch it?’
Deb was too far gone to do more than nod and gasp for breath.
‘Well, maybe I’ll let you come after I’ve shot my wad, and it’s one helluva wad, sweetheart. I’ve been saving it up, looking forward to my time with the scope, but you invaded my privacy, didn’t you?’ He withdrew his hand and fondled her breasts, thumbing her nipples until she sobbed in frustration. ‘I’m not in any real hurry, sugar. I could hold my wad and tease you all night. What do you think?’
‘Oh please, Mr. Smith. Pleeese! I need to come sooo bad!’
Deb could be over the top sometimes, but Elsa was pretty sure the need at this moment was genuine. Hers certainly was.
Nick nibbled Deb’s neck, then began again with her clit. ‘Alright, darlin’. I’m not a cruel man. And I’ve always believed in ladies first. But then you’re not a lady, are you, sweetheart?’
She shook her head wildly and Nick laughed. ‘Never mind. It’s alright. I don’t think that little hole of yours can take much more so it’s okay if you come. In fact I want you to come with me.’
In the control room, the only sound was heavy breathing. Elsa didn’t have to look to know all of her colleagues were masturbating. But she held herself. This was not her fantasy. This was not what she wanted to do with Nick, and even as she watched him, knowing that she would come too before his little performance was done, her own Nick Chase fantasy was unfolding in her head.
The silence was broken by Deb keening at the top of her lungs, ‘I’m coming, I’m coming!’ It was easy to tell Nick was about to follow suit, but just as he reached the point of no return, he roared like a lion, pulled his cock from Deb’s still convulsing snatch and shot his wad up her back and across the picture window in huge arching spurts.
‘Jesus,’ Pike managed just before he jizzed into a handful of tissue. Beetle was trembling out her orgasm in spastic jerks and gasps, and Pagan grunted his load into the trash can at the end of the dressing table.
Elsa sat very still, feeling the tremors pass through her pussy and climb up her spine again and again. She sat with her eyes locked on Nick Chase, who had now dropped to his knees, his shoulders heaving for breath, his cock still gripped in his hand as Deb slid down the window like she was made of Jell-O.
Then Pagan stumbled back to the keyboard. ‘Alright, Nick, Deb, you’re clear,’ he spoke into the mic gulping air like he’d just run a marathon. While the sounds of zipping and tucking filled the room, he turned his attention back to the control center and busied himself checking the recordings that were a part of each paying client’s package
‘Wow,’ Beetle said, ‘I think all of us are gonna want a copy of that little number, Pagan.’
‘Already on it,’ the big man called over his shoulder.
Just then, Elsa’s BlackBerry rang. She answered, and her pulse went into overdrive.
‘Hi Elsa, Rita Holly here. Edward and I are still recovering from your Mr Chase’s fantastic debut. My God, he’s a hot one!’
‘You saw it?’ Elsa managed.
‘We more than saw it, we had a hot little session of our own while we watched. He’s definitely a keeper.’
‘You were watching?’ Elsa repeated.
There was a pause on the other end of the phone. ‘Sorry about that. It was a very last minute request, but Pike said he was sure you wouldn’t mind.’
Elsa glared at Pike. ‘Pike is just so helpful, isn’t he?’ She ground her teeth. ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it, Rita.’
There was another pause. ‘Elsa, don’t let Nick Chase get away. He’s exactly the kind of man you need … the kind of person Mount Vegas needs to strengthen its ranks.’
Elsa nodded dumbly.
‘Look, Sweetie, I have to go,’ Rita said. ‘Totally starving after that little performance. Skype you tomorrow.’
Before Elsa had time to question Pike, the door burst open and Nick and Deb blew in. Deb was practically bouncing off the wall with excitement. As Elsa stood to greet them, Deb threw her arms around her boss and hugged her. ‘Did you see? It was amazing. Nick was amazing, wasn’t he?’ Before Elsa could answer, Deb was already hugging everyone else, leaping onto Pike and wrapping her shorts-clad legs around his waist to get a more effective bear-hug.
When Deb finally settled with both feet on the ground, Elsa turned her gaze to Nick. ‘Yes, he truly was amazing.’
In a move that was fast and hard, Nick pulled Elsa into his arms forcing a little grunt of air from her throat before he took her mouth, and it wasn’t a thanks-boss-glad-you-liked-my-work sort of kiss. He pulled her whole body against him, running his large palm up under her loose shirt to stroke her back, and fuck if his hands weren’t calloused, just like in her fantasies. Any semblance of professionalism she tried to maintain between herself and Nick Chase went out the window as she threw her arms around his neck and returned his kiss. His inquisitive tongue explored her mouth, and she returned the favour, pressing herself up tight and close to the rumpled trousers he still wore, trousers that couldn’t disguise his very interested hard-on.
My firstborn, The Initiation of Ms Holly, has had a wild couple of years in her young life. She’s found her way into the national newspapers, she’s made it onto national television and radio, she’s made it to number one on the Amazon UK paid erotica chart and on the free chart, and she’s in her third printing with Xcite books. Holly has even made her way into public libraries all across the UK!
Holly has done the Coast to Coast walk across England with Raymond and me in a zip lock bag. (We couldn’t find any waterproofs in her size). She’s been to Las Vegas where she was read from at the famous Flamingo hotel. She’s been on the bookshelves in WH Smith stores in airports, train stations and along the motorways. That girl is well travelled! And as of today, her adventure gets even bigger!
Today is the official launch day for The Initiation of Ms Holly with US publisher, SourceBooks! I’ve been waiting for what feels like ages for this day. But some things are just worth the wait, and this is definitely one of them.
SourceBooks fabulous PR folks have already gotten the book some great pre-launch attention, and look what people are saying about Holly!
While the “exclusive BDSM club” trope is certainly not new, the author has found a way to make the story compelling with a variety of erotic characters and a slight hint of mystery. Readers will enjoy having a heroine like Rita who is comfortable with exploring her sexuality and will want to stick around to see if she emerges victorious when going up against the club’s wicked dominatrix. Caution: The sex in this book is both plentiful and scorching hot — oven mitts may be needed when turning the pages!
The Library Journal has included The Initiation of Ms Holly among what they consider the best of current erotic fiction!
Thanks, SourceBooks for spreading the news!
The Initiation of Ms Holly is the novel that nearly didn’t get published, and yet, of all my novels, Holly has been the one that has taken me on the wildest ride – and still is! And I couldn’t be prouder.
I’m especially excited about the adventures of Rita Holly as the intrigues and sexy schemings of The Mount continue. More about that in Thursday’s post.
In the meantime, to help Holly Celebrate her new cover, new release and continued adventure, here is a little teaser.
Blurb:
Journalist, Rita Holly, never dreamed sex with the mysterious Edward in the dark of a malfunctioning train would lead to a blindfolded, champagne-drenched tango, a spanking by a butch waitress, and an offer of initiation into the exclusive mysteries of The Mount. Desperate to save her threatened job, she agrees, scheming secretly to write an inside exposé on the club that will make her career. But as she delves deeper into the intrigue of The Mount and the lives of its members, she soon discovers that her heart may have other plans.
Excerpt from The Initiation of Ms Holly:
He practically fell on top of Rita, his hand grazing her left breast in the complete darkness. She yelped and grabbed him to keep from losing her balance.
“God, I’m sorry!” He gasped. “Bloody nuisance, this, isn’t it?” His voice was warm, melodious, by far the most pleasant thing that had happened to Rita since she left Paris. “Oh dear. You’re trembling. Are you all right?”
“I’m claustrophobic” her words were thin and shaky, as though she didn’t fully trust herself to let them out. “It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t know where we are.” For an embarrassing moment, she realized she was still clinging to him, but the embarrassment passed, and suddenly she didn’t care. If they were going to die trapped in a train in the Eurostar tunnel, buried beneath a gazillion gallons of water, she’d just as soon not do it alone.
He either understood, or was too polite to leave her in such distress. He wrapped his arms around her engulfing her in a muscular embrace, the scent of which was maleness barely masked by deodorant and some spicy cologne, both fading at the end of a day much longer than either of them had anticipated. “Don’t worry.” In the darkness, he misjudged the distance between them and his lips brushed her earlobe. “It’s just an electrical malfunction. Anyway we’re better off down here than in the snowstorm up above. Sounds like all of London is shut down. Who’d have expected snow this late in the spring? Never mind that, where else do you get the chance to cuddle strangers in the dark?”
He pressed a little closer to her, and she was relieved to find other thoughts, thoughts more welcome than those of their predicament, pushing their way into her head. He felt good, broad-shouldered and tall, easy to lean on.
“Why are you huddled here in the corner rather than hunkered down in your seat?”
She concentrated on his warm breath pressing against the top of her ear. “I was on my way back from the loo when the lights went out and…”
“And this is as far as you got.”
She nodded against his chest, homing in on the reassuring sound of his heartbeat.
“Shall I help you back to your seat then?”
The train lurched forward, and she yelped again, tightening her grip around his neck. “No, please. It’s better if I just don’t move.”
There was a long pause. “Do you want me to stay with you?”
She realized the poor man had little choice clenched in her strangle hold, as he was. “I don’t want to be any trouble,” she lied.
He readjusted his stance and tightened his embrace. “No trouble at all. I can’t think of a better way to pass the time than in the arms of a beautiful woman. You are beautiful, aren’t you?”
In spite of the stress she felt, she forced a laugh. “Gorgeous, actually. Too bad you can’t see for yourself.”
He ran a hand down the contour of her spine to rest low on the small of her back. “I don’t have to see you to admire you.”
The thought that the man was rather cheeky barely crossed her mind before he lifted her fingers to his lips and planted a warm kiss across the back of her knuckles. “I’m Edward. I’m from London. Clearly you’re not.”
“Rita,’ she replied. ‘I’m from Seattle, but I live in London now.”
“Well Rita, from Seattle, we’ve established that you’re an exotic beauty. Perhaps you’d like to return the favour.” He lifted her hand to his face and guided it gently over the slight stubble of his cheek. As her hand cupped his well-formed chin, he pulled her middle finger into his mouth and nibbled it, teasing the pad of it with his tongue. Suddenly her struggle to breathe had nothing to do with being claustrophobic.
“Well?” He asked pulling her hand away to massage her fingers. “What do you think? Am I acceptable?”
If he was cheeky, she was downright brazen. She stopped his words with her mouth, amazed at how easily she had found the mark in total darkness. Perhaps it was the darkness that made her so bold, but whatever it was, he didn’t disappoint. His mouth was warm, opening eagerly to the probing of her tongue, responding in kind, caressing her hard pallet, nipping at the fullness of her lower lip before pulling away just enough to speak.
“There, you see? It’s not so bad being in the dark, is it? The other senses are too often overlooked, which is very sad, since they offer such exquisite delights.” His hand moved up to cup her cheek, and he raked a thumb across her still parted lips. “Taste, for example. Few pleasures exceed that of the tongue.”
She heard him fumbling in the darkness, then she heard the rattling of foil. ‘Open your mouth,’ he whispered. “I have something that’ll make you feel better, guaranteed. Oh don’t worry, it’s nothing illegal.”
Reluctantly she opened her mouth, which he primed with a wet kiss, then slipped a chocolate truffle between her lips. It was covered liberally in cocoa and warmed exquisitely almost, but not quite to the steamy melting point of his body temperature, which only enhanced the sharp, edgy flavor that separates expensive chocolate from the cheap stuff.
She gasped her surprise, then moaned softly at the intensity of the taste.
“Don’t bite,” he kissed her jaw, then her throat. “Savour it, roll it around in your mouth. There are places on the tongue that taste only sweet and places that taste only bitter or salt, or sour. Chocolate can have all those flavors. Caress it in your mouth like you’re making love to it, and you’ll be amazed at what you taste.”
She cheeked the truffle, slurring her words as she spoke. “I thought I was tasting you.”
He chuckled softly. “Everything tastes better with chocolate.” Without another word, he took her mouth, plunging his tongue deep against the melting truffle, whirling it, lapping at it, sighing with the pleasure of it. The more liquid and heated the truffle became, the more liquid and heated Rita became.