Guest Author: A.L. Kessler - Paranomal Romance Author

A.L. Kessler’s Dance in the Moonlight (DWC #2) 
Released 13 March 2014

Renee’s life had been normal until the shadows reappeared and the legendary stone was sent to her. As the arrival drags her further into the paranormal world, the last thing Renee expects is to be swept off her feet by a brooding werewolf.

Yet Coran captures her heart and attention. Small problem—he doesn't want a mate. Coran still suffers from the loss of his first mate, but when Renee is attacked by shifters he is forced to protect her at all costs. Things heat up when he realizes fate has wickedly granted him a second chance at love. With the war causing the body count to rise, now is not the ideal time to find a mate.

The Circle is becoming desperate and something has Lucius worried which means trouble for his followers. It's a dance between danger and fate in this second installment of the Dark War Chronicles.

Excerpt

When Coran’s shift ended he wasted no time escaping the bar. Jumping into his truck, he leaned his head against the back of the seat and took a deep breath. He’d thought about Renee the whole evening. His wolf did nothing but pace inside him when the human came to mind and that alone was unsettling; normally the beast was the pillar of calm. Something about the human woman stood out to him and he wanted to see her again, despite everything.

Voices made him look out his window and a group of males gathered on the sidewalk caught his attention. If Coran had been human, he wouldn’t have noticed anything different about them. Dressed in clubbing clothes, they could have just been out for a night on the town. It wasn’t unusual to see a group like them downtown, but the wind brought a scent through the cracked window. Shifters, ones he didn’t recognize. They took off running to the west and he started up the truck. Following the group, he parked to watch what their plans were when they approached a house party. Again, not something that was unusual downtown, but something ate inside Coran.

Renee downed another drink from her housemate. Another whiskey down after an hour of drinking games made the room spin around her. Danielle laughed and grabbed Renee's wrist. "Okay birthday girl, I think you've had enough."

Renee shook her head. "Nooo, I need more. Rum. Where is the rum?" She stood and tried to get to the kitchen, but Danielle held her back.

"It's gone." Someone else in the house cried out.

"Why is the rum always gone?" Renee asked, feigning a pirate voice. She giggled as she headed towards the kitchen, escaping Danielle's clutch. She searched through the bottles but froze when a person she didn't know passed on the other side of the counter. Swearing, she saw an animal waver behind him, just like she had with Coran at the bar. Then she blamed it on being stressed. Now she blamed it on being drunk. Placing her shot glass on the counter, she drew in a couple deep breaths and closed her eyes. When she opened them the room stopped spinning and the man with the shadow was no longer in the room.

"You okay?" Danielle's voice made Renee jump.

Nodding, she pulled away from her friend. "I just need some fresh air." She grinned.

Danielle motioned to the door. "You know where the door is, use it."

Renee stumbled outside and took a deep breath, closing her eyes again. The heat from the day still clung to the air and thoughts from the chase the night before returned to her. Footsteps still echoed in her head, reminding her of the men who chased her. Her eyes flew open when someone grabbed her wrist. Stumbling, her heart pounded as she shoved at the stranger, frantically slapping him with her other free hand, trying to get them to let go. Drinking made her more clumsy than normal, but she tried to pry the man’s hand off her. The world spun around her as she struggled with the stranger. The man's grip bruised her arm as he pulled her off her stumbling feet. Renee crashed to the ground taking her attacker with her. He landed next to her with a yell and two other men came running. Her eyes widened when she could see the other forms — a wolf, a big cat of some sort, and a bear. A scream bubbled up in her throat, but one of the other men clapped a hand over her mouth. She tried to kick, but her alcohol-laden system moved too slowly to surprise him.

"Shut it, you little bitch."

An accent she couldn’t place tinged his voice. She thrashed against the man, her mind racing through the worse possible scenarios.

Within a moment the man disappeared, yanked away from her. Renee glanced up, surprised filling her hazy brain when she recognized the hunky bartender. Coran held an attacker in the air by the shirt collar, a foot off the ground. She couldn't believe it, exactly what kind of bartender was this guy? Coran smirked at her and in that moment the image of the wolf flickered behind him, snarling. She swallowed and gave him a shy wave.

He set the man down. "I suggest you run before I rip your head off."

The man quickly nodded in agreement and he and his comrades took off. Coran turned back to Renee and held a hand out to her. "What was that all about?" he asked as he pulled her up. She stumbled into him. "Are you drunk?"

"Beats hot milk and butter." She grinned before turning in the direction the attackers ran off in. "Those butt faced miscreants."

Coran laughed and put an arm around her trying to lead her back to the house. "That's a new one."

Renee leaned into him, using him for balance. Here she was drunk and about to screw up a chance with the hot bartender...again. "I don't want to go back in there." Her mind flashed to all the images flickering behind people and tears formed in her eyes. She was tired of these forms reappearing. She swore that time of her life was over.

"What? Why? It looks like a fun party." He turned to her and tilted her chin up to meet her eyes. "Are you crying?"

She sniffled, trying to keep the little drops from falling. "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...gosh darn it! I'll leave if I want to."

"I'm so going to be dead for this." He grumbled and picked her up, cradling her against his chest. "How drunk are you?"

"You're only going to be mostly dead." She laid her head against his chest. "And I'm not as think as you drunk I am." She could feel his chest rumble with laughter as he started to walk away from the house. He tucked her into the passenger side of his truck, buckled her in and kissed her forehead.

"To the bat cave," she muttered and pointed out the windshield.

He got in on the other side, chuckling as he started the truck. "Something like that, sweetheart."

"You're going to let that shifter walk off with your charge?" A male voice made Danielle turn around.

She shrugged. "I know she's safe with him. It bothers me, but obviously we have other problems on our hands."

"Like the fact that she was just attacked? You think you should report this?"

Protocol required a Hunter to report if anything changed in their assignment, but Danielle wasn't ready to report that the human she was assigned suddenly started to attract a shifter and a pack of rogues. "Not yet. I don't want to get them worked up over nothing. It could just be a coincidence. "

"You don't sound so sure of that." Her partner leaned against the door jam. "After what? A couple years finally something starts to happen with this girl and you want to ignore it?"

Dani glared back at him. "Look, I'm the Elite here, you follow my orders. We don't report this yet and we don't pursue it. There is something else going on here. I'll talk to her about her choice in men when she comes back tomorrow."

"You think she'll come back?" He laughed. "Most women can't resist shifters."

She snorted. "This is Renee, she’d rather have Mr. Darcy than a shifter who happens to be there when she's drunk. Besides, tomorrow she'll wake up embarrassed and come home."

"You're sure about that?" Her partner's voice made her doubt everything. She hated when the younger Hunter did that.

She forced herself to nod. "I am, I've known her for years. She's not the type to fall head over heels with a man." Even she could hear the hesitation in her voice.

"Weren't you given orders to follow her every move?" He chuckled. "Do you need me to help track her? She has no idea what I am so it would be easy."

Dani shook her head and bit her fingernail. "That man is a shifter, an immortal one nonetheless. I've heard the local wolf pack talk about him. He'd know you were there in a heartbeat."

"I wasn't aware there was an immortal in town."

"And that's why you're a Skilled and I’m a Elite. Give her until tomorrow before you start following her around."

He snorted. "I'm only six months away from graduating you know."

"Then you should have realized that he was an immortal and that there is at least one in town." She shrugged and walked back into the house, determined to enjoy the rest of the party.

---

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Author's Bio

A.L. Kessler is a paranormal romance author living in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO. When she’s not at beck and call of the household—made up of her cats, dog, daughter and husband—she can be found hard at work on her next novel. In those rare moments of free time, she can be found playing video games, crafting, or reading.

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Announcing - Ashely Nemer's "Maverick Touch: The Highway"

 

The Art of Safkhet Presents – Ashley Nemer

MAVERICK TOUCH: THE HIGHWAY
Release March 24, 2014

Nadia and Anabella head down to Houston, Texas, for what they thought would be a relaxing vacation. Nadia could work on her travel news articles for her boss in Cedar Rapids while Anabella caught a few rays of sunshine. Or that was the plan. Little did they know what trouble lurked inside the luxurious hotel nestled in the center of downtown Houston.

When Carlisle Ali introduces Anabella to his friend and brother-in-arms, Carter Jackson, all hell breaks loose for the Mavericks. Trouble never has a problem finding Nadia when she is out and about looking for a story. Be it Cedar Rapids or Houston, it doesn’t matter. Nadia finds a way to cause chaos and disaster.

What happens when Mr. A and Mr. J go out on a hunt for the man who is terrorizing people along I-45, the interstate running through the heart of Houston? More importantly, what happens to Nadia and Mr. A when they are forced to face the feelings that have been boiling between them for over a year now?

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EXCERPT

MAVERICK TOUCH: THE HIGHWAY

CHAPTER FOUR – Monday Evening

Nadia and her dinner companions finished up their meal, and after paying for it, they all walked out into the front lobby of the restaurant and started to debate what they each wanted to do next. They looked over the list of attractions, and each started to call out what they wanted to do.

“I want to tour the sharks,” Nadia suggested.

“Come on, a Ferris Wheel!  You know that you want to go on it!”

“Ladies, why don’t we separate and you both do what you wish. We will just meet back together right here when we’re done,” Carter calmly said.

“Yes, that’s a good idea, Carter. Come on, Nadia. Let’s go see your sharks.” Carlisle slipped his hand around her and onto her lower back and guided her over to the entrance of the Shark Voyage train ride.

“If you wanted to do something else, you could have. We didn’t need to do this.”

“Nonsense, this is your vacation. It’s about what you want to do.”

“What about what you want, Mr. A?” she teased him.

“We’ll have plenty of time for what I want. At this moment, it’s about you.” He walked up to the attendant. “Two please.” He pulled out his wallet, slipped the man a ten dollar bill to pay for the ride, and then ushered Nadia onto the train.

“Better hold on, Nadia, or you might fall off into the sea of sharks.”

She laughed and leaned in close to him. “Will you protect me from falling?”

“You know it.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and together they sat like this while the train pulled away from its starting position and traveled through the world of sharks that was found in the middle of the city of Houston.

“Look at the sharp teeth. God, I’d hate to ever be bitten by one.”

“What are you going to be doing that you even need to worry about that, my pet?”

“You never know. I might have to do a deep sea fishing story next, and then what if I’m tossed overboard and left floating in the water.”

“Lord help us if that ever happens. The thought of your shrieking from being scared is enough to make any man go deaf.”

“Hey!” She jabbed her elbow into his side lightly, pretending to be hurt by his comment.

“See, look at you, my feisty pet.”

The train pulled to a slow stop as they were back at the spot they’d started. They stepped off of the platform and started to walk back to the lobby. They got sidetracked when Nadia found an exit and started to walk outside.

“You’re gonna drive your sister crazy if we’re late.”

“Something tells me she won’t mind. I think she’s quite taken by your Mr. Jackson.”

“Mr. J,” he corrected.

“Yes, well since you’re Mr. A, he can be Mr. J. That makes sense. You two are ‘brothers in crime,’ right? Might as well have similar nicknames, I suppose.”

“I don’t like you calling someone else mister. That’s reserved for me, so you can just call him Carter.”

“Oh? Is that so? Does the infamous Mr. A get jealous?”

“Absolutely.”

Carlisle pulled Nadia to a stop by taking her hand in his and holding it tightly. Nadia turned her head and looked at him for just a moment before he pulled her to him. His free hand cupped her cheek, and he leaned down to capture her lips with his.

Nadia’s eyes shut, and her body started to weaken. She felt him release her hand and move his hand to her back to push her body onto his. They stood outside of the Aquarium for a solid five minutes, kissing. Nadia’s mind and body were sunken into the experience, everything about it, the way he smelled, his lips, how they tasted, the lingering smell and taste of lobster permeating through the air from him and onto her.

“Mr. A…”

“Carlisle,” he whispered at her.

“You drive me crazy.” Her words were raspy when they came out of her mouth.

“I know, and you me. You’re an addition.”

“Likewise.” Her hands now found his sides, and her fingers strummed over his shirt while they exchanged their intimate moment.

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Guest Author: Krista Ames - Contemporary Romance

Second Nature
by: Krista Ames

Contemporary Romance

The Wild Rose Press

58 pages, sensual heat rating

If a second chance presented itself, would you take it? 

When the love of Dana's life leaves without a word, moving on is the last thing she wants to do. Despite loving him, she believes she will never see him again but, little does she know, she's being set up for a night that will change her life forever. 

Nicholas, A Navy man, did the only thing he could to save the woman he loved. Driven by a secret, he disappeared and now returns, years later, with hope for love. With one opportunity, will he be able to make things right, or is it just too late? 

Will she resist the desire she has for a second chance or will it be Second Nature?

Check it out on Amazon, free through March 22nd!

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Excerpt:

 

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

 She sucked back a sob, her fight slipping away. “I’ve wanted to be mad at you for so long.” She rolled her eyes.   “Why do you have to look so damn good in that uniform?”

          He chuckled and cupped her face in his hands, lowering his head to brush his lips gently against hers. 

Instant ignition.

“Oh, God, please don’t.” She placed her palms to his solid chest, feeling his muscled pecks under all that uniform. Her body trembled from the tip of her toes to the top of her head. Startled by her immediate reaction to him, she pushed him away. 

 “This can’t happen, Nicholas. I’m not young and naïve anymore. You broke my heart once.  I won’t let you do it again.” Whew. She hadn’t been sure she’d actually be able to say those words aloud. 

 His hands dropped to his sides, not stopping her when she stepped away.

          “Dana, we need to talk. There’s a lot you don’t know about the night I left.”

 Too little too late.  She needed to flee, but couldn’t think beyond this moment. She wanted this man so much it hurt, but too much pain had been suffered. She turned, shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

          He reached for her arm.  

          “It does matter, damn it. At least to me.” He ran his hand through his hair.  “Please stay, Dana. You’re here and this night is about our friends and their wedding. That’s the most important thing right now—being here for our friends.”

She hesitated.  Damn him, he was right. She was here for her friend, even though she was really pissed at Amy for purposely leading her into this mess. Amy knew full well Dana would be a wreck, but she would deal with her friend later. She avoided Nick’s eyes and just nodded in agreement.

---

Author Bio: 

Born and raised in Northern Indiana, Krista now resides in Northern Lower Michigan.  She is married to a very supportive man who allows her to follow her true passion of writing and never complains when she is pirated away on her computer for hours.  He is excellent at bouncing ideas around with and even helps the occasional writers block.  He’s also a terrific “in house” editor.  Krista is also a mother of 4 ornery children who keep her plenty busy.  With an addition of 2 beautiful chocolate lab sisters and a playful kitty, there is never a dull or spare moment in her household.

Krista has always loved to read and would often sit up for hours into the night not able to put down a book until she was finished.  She still reads when she can but her main focus is creating her own stories to share with the world.

She loves to communicate with her readers so please feel free to drop her a line anytime.

Author Contact Links:

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Guest Author: Karina Kantas - Queen of Biker Fiction

 Karina Kantas: Queen of Biker Fiction

Hard-Edged Urban Thrillers - A New Genre of Fiction

Karina Kantas felt there was a hole missing in the book market. As a teenager she wanted to read hard-edged novels. A story that contained violence, drugs, as well as the romance and friendship.

"I believe that this genre of fiction is still needed today. Readers want conflict, action. They enjoy rebel-type fiction; and want to sympathize with the characters in the story. I know there is a place in the market for this type of book." - Karina Kantas

In Times of Violence is Karina's first published novel.

"I think when I first read this they wrongly put it in the graphic novels section ie comic section. so I was a bit hesitant to read it but I’d gotten the name off the internet as a good read so I read it. it’s amazing. I totally loved the rawness of it. The ending was sad in my opinion though. I think the first time I read it I actually cried!" - Review: US

Her second novel Lawless Justice, an urban thriller about a group of women biker vigilantes that run Northampton in the UK. Lawless Justice is a fan favourite.

“If you’re sitting in a bar in lower London, and six beautiful women enter dressed in black leather, check out their back as they walk by. If the image of a cat’s paw print is present, sit down, shut up, and respectful enjoy the view. The Kittnz have arrived. These six motorcycle riding felines can either hook you up, or knock you out, your choice. Karina has given us a book that will keep you entertained page after page. The Kittnz, a group of motorcycle riding self-appointed vigilantes, roam the streets of London doing what the cops can't. They serve up Lawless Justice. This is a great book that you will read until you’re finished. Great job Karina!” - Review: UK

Next came Huntress, a sequel to In Times of Violence, but also a book that can stand on its own. This was picked up by a publisher, but is now released back to author.

“This is the second of Karina's books I have read (I read Lawless Justice at the end of last year) and when I get through a few of the books on the shelf (I buy them faster than I read them) I’ll certainly get another. I'm not going to write a review that gives away the story’s ending but generally the book is about a young female journalist who infiltrates an outlaw biker gang to get revenge for her uncle’s murder. It is well written and descriptive, you can almost imagine being there and is the type of book that’s very easy to read and hard to put down. I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future.” - Review: UK

Her last published thriller is Road Rage.

“First of all I must say that this is not really my normal read but decided to give it a go. I found it gripping. The Story of Gem who leaves a Motorcycle club and the trouble it has brought to her life. She has settled away from it all and leading as normal a life as possible despite from both physical & mental scars from her past. She meets Shep a member of Rage and is drawn into the club with life threatening consequences. A riveting read.” - Review: US

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A published writer of exciting new fiction, she has over thirty pieces of work published online and printed journals.

As well as writing exciting urban thrillers, she is a versatile writer of all genres, a past book reviewer for Future Fire and also a freelance journalist for several magazines.

Heads & Tales is a collection of short stories that will delight fright and leave you questioning your sanity. Her short story "Crossed" from the collection Heads & Tales won first prize in an international short story contest.

Stone Cold is a YA supernatural thriller.

Karina has just released her new collection Undressed. Currently she is working on a two- book fantasy series called Illusional Reality.

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Amazon buy links:

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Other buy links:

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Check Karina out on her Facebook page! Head on over there now to win up to six of her books!

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The Blood Series - Revamped Vamps

And now a word from Ashley Nemer, author of the Blood Series. The last book in her trilogy, "Blood Green" comes out April 28th and it's a bittersweet emotion going around about the end. In celebration of the end, she's given the first two books new, smouldering covers. Damn girl, they are hot!

But who knows what the future brings? Maybe the vampires will rise again and we can get 'Blood Blue' or 'Blood Orange' one day.

And now, Ms. Nemer:

The final edits are done, the fine word typed and the storylines put to rest that have haunted my inner thoughts for four years. It is an amazingly heady feeling knowing that what you have considered your pride and joy, your baby, has found its ending.

So what goes into the ending of a trilogy?  A lot of work, blood sweat and tears, and a new look.  

So Zayn, Nikole, Haydar and Leigh are facing off on their final battle. This was a really hard story line for me to make because I have said from day one that one bad guy will get a happy ending and one good guy won’t. So this was a tight rope I was walking, coming up with something good and bad to happen to the opposite side. I worried that the story line for said bad guy (or girl) wasn’t believable. And the same went for the good guy.

I think I found a decent balance, one that kinda shocked me as I was writing it. I kept thinking, “Are you sure you wanna do this (insert character name)?” And they kept saying, YES! Stubborn ass characters. Obviously they come from me1

Next came the research as now I am doing some writing with scenes in Lebanon. Again, believability. How do you have scenes believable in a country you have never step foot in?

And then a new look. As an indie author the best part is that I am constantly developing my craft and developing my image. So now it was time to create a brand that would follow me for the remainder of my journey … and that meant new covers!

I just hope that people love the Blood Series as much as I do. Blood Green comes out April 28^th, only a month and a half away. And I cannot wait for the world to finally have an ending of a vampire love story that doesn’t end in sparkly happily ever after.

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"Blood Purple" is going through some technical difficulties and will be available (with its new cover) on Amazon soon.

Excerpt from Niki Becker's "Special Assignment"

EXCERPT

Chapter One - Charlie

I loved my job, even if it wasn’t for everyone. You woke up, got ready, plastered that smile on your face, and then headed out to face the world. That mean, cruel world loved to suck the youth right out of everyone. I wasn’t old by any means; twenty-eight was still manageable. My whole life was ahead of me, but I wasn’t a spring chicken either. The new girls came in, took clients, and would high- tail it when they found Mr. Right Now, but not us veterans. No, we were in this job for the long haul.

He was still asleep. This one always slept afterwards. Maybe he had to dream it out of his system, pretend he wasn’t as bad as the others. Let’s face it, most politicians and businessmen around here had one of our numbers on speed dial. We didn’t judge; we weren’t paid to. We did, however, talk, and if a john treated one of the young ones inappropriately, we took care of him. Our sisterhood was elite, hard to get into, but once you were here, you were a lifer, even if you did make it out of this hell hole.

I picked the money up off of the table and left the hotel, counting the roll of twenties one by one while walking down the streets. Some days it felt like I could do my job without the man’s help. Other days, like yesterday, I was glad to have a partner in this. Maybe partner was too strong of a word; it was probably more like a tour guide. You know, he told me where to go, what to do, and when to do it, but yesterday, when I was attacked, he was like a partner. He’d never left my side. One would argue that’s what the girls all paid him for, others would say it was the least he could do with the situations he put us in. Me, I was just thankful that I didn’t have to deal with it alone.

“Hey, Charlie, he’s waiting for you.”

As usual, I faked the smile I flashed at Stan as I walked through the doors and into the back office. I pulled the roll of twenties out and tossed them on his desk. Sixty percent to the house, forty percent to my bank account.

“I got a special assignment for you.”

“No can do. Got a regular in two hours. Can’t pass him up.”

“You can, and you will. This one wants to drop a grand just for one night with you. He asked for you specifically.”

“You can’t have one of the other girls do it? You know how I feel about my regulars.”

I watched him raise his hand in the air, as if he was trying to silence me. “I’ve spoken. I’m sending Misty to your regular. You’ll collect ten percent, like a finder’s fee, if you must. This guy, though, wants you specifically. Here’s his location and the time. Play nice.”

“Nice? Since, when do you want your girls playing nice?”

“Since we were just offered a grand for one measly fuck. Now go.”

He was holding out the piece of paper at me, waving it. With a regretful sigh, I took it and had just turned to leave when I heard him say, “A grand, Charlie. Wear your best panties.”

“Yeah, we’ll see.”

I walked out of the office and through the building back to the street. It was a good thing I liked walking, because I spent most days with my feet on the pavement. The pier was always nice this time of year. The paper said this guy was at the Eden Plaza on the pier. I knew that place well. A couple friends worked there. My mind wandered to my regular that Misty now had. I felt the need to warn her about his kinkier nature but decided everyone needed to be introduced to the weird and strange the same way I had been, by surprise.

The Eden Plaza looked magnificent against the sunset along the pier. The whole building of the hotel seemed engulfed in orange and red light. I walked up the side of the building and slipped into the lobby. Andy was standing there behind the counter. He caught sight of me and waved me over. He always was a good friend.

“Charlie! I assume it’s business not pleasure that brings you to my hotel, yeah?”

“You know I couldn’t afford this place if it was for pleasure.”

“Well you could, babe, if you ever decided to take me up on my offer.”

“You know I can’t be a kept woman, Andy. I need ta earn my way.”

“One day, Charlie, you will come to your senses. Until then, I will have to settle for our movie and pizza nights, I guess.”

I reached my hand over the counter and touched his arm, “Andy, I love our movie and pizza nights. Why ruin it?”

“I’m not, C. Just yakking. You be safe tonight. Should I wait around for you? Walk you home?”

“Nah, but thanks. I don’t know how long this is gonna last.”

With a smile and then a turn, I went over to the escalators and retrieved the piece of paper with his information. Room number 337, third floor. The elevator let out a ding, and I stepped inside.  The number three button stared at me, daring me to press it. Now or never… I watched my finger reach out and the ring around the number three lit up. The doors closed and the elevator started moving. New people always made me nervous, never knowing what to expect or what you were walking into.

The doors parted, and I stepped onto the floor. The room was dead ahead, the master suite. Without hesitation, my feet lead the way, like it was muscle memory controlling them. I couldn’t shake the notion that he had specifically asked for me. He didn’t leave his name, so he wasn’t a regular. Maybe he was referred by someone.

Knock, knock, knock. The door opened, and a tall man, about 6’2”, stared back at me. His skin was tan with a touch of sunburn across his neck. It was hard to make the features of his face out due to the dark lighting, but his blue eyes stared back at me, shining in the darkness. His hair was dark, but his smile was bright. His white teeth were easy to spot through the blackness.

“Somebody order room service?” I flashed him my smile and tossed my hair back over my shoulder. He pushed the door open and signaled me in.

“Not a talker, huh? That’s all right. I’ll take care of everything, baby.” Walking past him, I let my hand brush against his stomach and linger a bit before moving toward the bed. With a graceful spin, I lifted up on the balls of my feet and turned around to face him. “Shall we discuss payment or just see what all you…” I paused when he started to walk towards me. His hands touched mine, and it felt like a spark went off at our fingertips.

“Let me strip you,” he commanded, his voice deep and sultry.

His hands were rough, not smooth like my normal clientele. It was obvious he wasn’t a CEO type of worker. He slipped his hand inside of my shirt. I felt his palm trail up the side of my stomach and cup my breast. My lace bra wasn’t much of a barrier between his fingers and my nipple. It perked up as if trained to stand at attention at any given moment when he swiped past the hardened nub.

He lifted my arms up while he pulled my shirt off. His lips parted with a smile when he caressed the blue lace bra.

“So breathtaking.”

“Thank you. What shall I call you?”

“You can call me John.” He chuckled low, like he was making a joke.