Roxie Rivera's Blog

September 17, 2024

He’s the man she’s secretly loved since she was a teenager. She’s the forbidden woman he can’t forget. 

​After humiliating herself at her sister’s lavish wedding, Sky flees the grand Mexican estate for the wilds of far-away places. But when her sister needs help, Sky rushes home and into the very unexpected role of nanny to her adorable baby nephew. 

For six years, Rafa has been tormented by the memories of a forbidden tryst at his brother’s wedding. But when tragedy strikes the family, Rafa will do anything to keep his nephew safe. 

Even if that means offering Sky a marriage of convenience. 

A marriage they both insist will never be anything more than a business arrangement. 

Unless, of course, Rafa’s scheming mother and sisters have anything to say about it...  Pre-Order Available Now Read an excerpt of Rafa's Convenient Wife here! Rafa’s Convenient Wife 
Tequila Tycoons Book One 
By Roxie Rivera 
© 2024 Night Works Books 
 
Prologue 

Fireworks lit up the night with wild bursts of color that signaled the exit of the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Farias. 

Sky stood in the front of the noisy crowd, waving and shouting well-wishes to her older sister and new brother-in-law as they climbed into the vintage car. She clutched the bouquet of dahlias she had caught a short while ago and watched the car roll down the long private drive of the Farias family estate. A jet waited at the nearby airstrip to whisk her sister and husband away on their honeymoon. 

When the car disappeared, Sky joined the crowd returning to the reception. The guests were rowdy and ready to dance as long as the band played. She had to hand it to Jaime’s family—they knew how to throw a party! Not surprising considering the family business was tequila and other fine Mexican spirits and beer. 

Soila Farias, the family matriarch, held court at a table near the front of the reception. She was the kindest, warmest woman, and Sky was glad her sister had such a wonderful mother-in-law. Their own family lacked the same warmth and closeness of the Farias familia so it was something of a novelty to be surrounded by so much love. 

But sometimes it was a bit overwhelming. 

Sky slipped away from the reception and wandered down a lit garden path to one of the many fountains. She liked the soothing sound of water and needed a moment to unwind and relax. The lush estate with its grand manor was like something out of a telenovela. The mansion had been built hundreds of years earlier and had been expanded and renovated with each new generation. The sprawling space looked like a luxury resort, and as big as their family was, they needed all that space. 

As she drew close to the fountain, she spotted a silhouette in the moonlight and hesitated under an arch covered in fragrant climbing roses. She would recognize those broad shoulders anywhere. Rafael, the eldest of the Farias siblings, and the man she had been infatuated with for the better part of a year. 

She wasn’t naïve enough to think he returned her feelings. She was barely out of high school, and he was the CEO of a global powerhouse. But the giddiness and wild excitement of her crush couldn’t be ignored. She couldn’t help the way she felt, and she couldn’t stop her feet from moving either. 

With deliberate steps, she closed the distance between them, her high heels tapping on the brick path. He glanced back, and she saw his expression shift in the warm glow of moonlight and garden lamps. He grimaced, as if her presence was the very last thing he wanted, and she stopped abruptly. She may have been young and inexperienced, but she wasn’t stupid. 

“Sorry,” she apologized. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll go.” 

“No.” He turned completely, and she noticed the cigar dangling from his hand. 

“Oh.” It wasn’t her company he found distasteful. He was embarrassed to have been discovered smoking something that definitely did not smell like a cigar. Knowing how much his mother hated smoking and anything to do with marijuana, she took it from him and helped herself to a few very enjoyable puffs. She handed the blunt back and said, “I won’t tell if you don’t.” 

He shot her a conspiratorial smile. “Deal.” 

“That’s good,” she remarked, enjoying the aftertaste. “Lola’s strains are getting better and stronger.” 

“She does seem to have a gift when it comes to plants,” Rafael agreed. Lola, his youngest sister, had gone to the same all-girls boarding school in San Antonio with Sky and had been growing all sorts of interesting plants the entire time Sky had known her. “Has she already run off?” 

Sky nodded. “I saw her sneaking away before the send-off. Your mother was trying to set her up with some guy who is almost a doctor.” 

“She’s lucky. It’s not so easy for the best man to escape.” He glanced at the bouquet she still clutched. “Or the maid of honor.” 

“Your mother hasn’t tried to set me up with anyone.” 

“Yet,” he warned with a look. 

Behind them the cumbia music swelled to a finish, and the revelers clapped and shouted with happiness. The lead singer of the Selena cover band urged all the lovers to take to the floor and the familiar chords of I Could Fall in Love drifted out to the hidden alcove where she now stood with Rafael. 

For a moment, their eyes met, and she wondered if he would ask her to dance. He had done his duty earlier in the night, taking her out to the dance floor when it was expected, but now? Alone? Just the two of them? 

As if reading her mind, he took the bouquet of dahlias from her hand and placed it on the marble ledge of the fountain. He stubbed out the blunt in the nearest terra cotta pot overflowing with flowers and then took both of her hands. He led her a few feet from the fountain and pulled her in close, his body melding against hers in the most exciting way. 

She gazed up at him in wonder, taking in his strong jaw and those coal black eyes. He smiled down at her, and she wished more than anything in the world that he would see her as more than just Maddie’s little sister or Lola’s younger classmate. That he would see her as a woman, as someone worthy of his attention and love. 

He was such a good dancer, and she enjoyed the way he spun her around with ease and grace. The swishy fabric of her dress was perfect for twirling to the romantic lyrics, and she let herself believe, even if only for a moment, that Rafael was more than just the best man stuck with her tonight.
 
“Look at you,” he said with a teasing smile. “Not even a hint of tired on your beautiful face.” 

She blushed at his compliment. “How could I be tired? This has been such an incredible day. I intend to go right back to the reception and dance the night away.” 

He laughed softly. “I forgot what it’s like to be so young and full of life.” 

She rolled her eyes. “You’re not old!” 

“Twenty-nine feels old.” 

What he didn’t mention was how long he had been carrying the burden of his family’s business. She suspected that kind of stress would make anyone feel exhausted. 

His gaze dropped to her right hand and the diamonds and gold that glittered there.
“Mama was right. That bracelet is perfect for you.” 

She still couldn’t believe Soila had gifted her such a precious family heirloom that morning as they dressed for the wedding. “Your mother is too generous, Rafa. I’m going to give it back to her before I leave.” 

“You will not.” He frowned at her. “You would break Mama’s heart. She wanted you to have it.” 

“But your sisters? Your niece?” 

He chortled. “Mama has more jewels than the Queen of England. There are plenty to go around.” He shook his head. “No, you’re keeping this bracelet. It makes Mama happy to give gifts. It’s her love language.” 

“Love language?” She tried not to laugh. 

“According to Enedina,” he said with a shrug. “She’s always reading some new self-help book and telling us all about it.” 

“To be fair, she probably got that book from Maddie. She was on a love language kick a few months ago. Jaime’s language is acts of service, in case you were wondering.” 

He laughed. “I wasn’t but thank you. Now—one more spin.” He guided her through another twirl as the music began its crescendo. Halfway through, her spiky heel caught on an uneven section of brick, and she stumbled slightly. Rafael steadied her with his strong hands, one of them sliding along her waist to her upper back. 

Pressed against him, she breathed in the woodsy scent of his cologne. Sandalwood. Cedar. All the lovely smells she would always associate with him. She had grabbed the lapel of his tuxedo for balance, and she couldn’t quite let go. She wanted to hold tight, to enjoy his body heat radiating through her. She tilted her head back, gazing up into his dark eyes. They seemed impossibly black, as if he were lost in the same emotional turmoil she felt. 

Knowing this might be her only chance, she quickly rose on tiptoes and kissed him. He inhaled sharply. Whether it was surprise or delight, she couldn’t tell. He remained stiff, but his hand gripped her waist even tighter. With a flirtatious flick of her tongue against his lips, she won the battle and finally got the kiss she so desperately wanted. 

And what a kiss it was! 

This wasn’t the clumsy, frantic kisses of her prom date or the slightly too messy kisses of her on-again off-again boyfriend. This was the practiced, skilled kiss of a man who had all the experience she craved from a lover. 

Rafael groaned and clasped the back of her neck, tilting her head back even further as he claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss. His other hand moved from her waist to her bottom, squeezing and drawing her in even closer. So close she could feel the unmistakable ridge of his arousal against her belly. 

Bold and brazen, she slipped her hand down the firm plane of his abdomen to stroke his erection through the fabric of his tuxedo pants. He groaned and stabbed his tongue against hers with more force. Tobacco. Tequila. Champagne. Marijuana. The taste of him filled her mouth and left her craving more and more and more. 

They moved as they kissed, her taking a few steps back and him following. It was like dancing, only clumsier and more unsure. Her back hit the iron arbor covered in roses, and she felt the sharp bite of thorns on her shoulders. Consumed by Rafael, she paid the pain no mind. 

Her head spun, and she clutched at his shoulders, rising to meet his kisses. He lifted her up, grasping the backs of her thighs, and she wound her legs around his waist. His erection jutted against that secret throbbing place where she wanted him most. She arched against him, silently urging him to keep going. 

Rafael gathered up the silky fabric of her evening gown, drawing it up her thigh, and slipped his hand under her skirt. His hand followed the curve of her bare skin, and he squeezed a handful of her bottom, growling against her mouth in lust. The lacy thong she had picked out to wear under her designer dress made her feel mature and sensual, and she was glad he appreciated the freedom it gave him to stroke her skin. 

She shuddered wildly as his hand curved along her bottom and dipped down to the spot where she was quickly growing wet with arousal. His tongue tangled with hers, and she whimpered with need and excitement. He swallowed her moans, and she elicited a groan from him when she went for the fly of his trousers. 

He pulled aside the soaking strip of fabric between her thighs and explored her wet depths with his fingers. She fumbled around his zipper before finally getting her hand into his pants and onto him. She stroked his steely length, marveling at the wild heat of him against her palm.  

After that, it happened suddenly. Frantic. Heady. Passion. One moment, Rafael was shifting her weight and angling his body just right. The next, he was sliding into her, piercing her intimate flesh and filling her with what she desperately needed. 

His kisses consumed her. She clung to his shoulders as he thrust, her lips against his neck, her tongue flicking out to taste his skin. She gave into the animalistic desire and sank her teeth into the soft and vulnerable part of him, leaving her mark. He growled, and his fingers tightened on her waist and hips. She would have his fingerprints on her skin—and it made her head spin. 

His pace quickened, his thrusts deeper and harder. Her own climax was too far behind. That telltale tightening had only started to take hold. That fluttery quiver of excitement was only just beginning to make her breaths come faster and shallower. 

Rafael made a harsh sound before slamming so deep it knocked the air out of her lungs. She clasped his shoulders and rocked against his body, desperate to wring what pleasure she could from the moment. It wasn’t enough to send her over the edge, and her core ached and throbbed. 

“Rafa,” she whimpered pleadingly against his lips. 

Rafael suddenly tore his mouth away from hers. It was as if someone had splashed cold water on him. Breathing hard, he stared down at her, his eyes wide with what could only be described as horror. He let her legs fall from his hips, carefully guiding her feet to the ground, and then hastily retreated. 

Her skirt fell down around her ankles. Her thong was mashed to the side and chafed her skin. His seed seeped from her, leaving a mess that she ignored as she tried to make sense of his confusing behavior. Her voice cracked as she asked, “Rafa?” 

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” He grimaced, and she felt the rush of cool night air against her overheated skin. “I’m sorry.” 

“For what? I wanted that as much as you did.” 

“It doesn’t matter.” He slashed the air with his hand. “You’re just a child.” 

She flinched at his harsh tone. “I’m nineteen, Rafa!” 

“Barely!” He rubbed his face and seemed so angry with himself. “I promised Jaime I would look after you—and I took advantage of you!” 

“You didn’t!” 

“The hell I didn’t! Look at you! And at your sister’s wedding!” 

Her face burned with shame. “I’m an adult. I kissed you first.” 

“And I should have stopped it.” He raised both hands in front of him. “It was a mistake.” 

“Not to me,” she insisted. 

“It was to me.” The hard way he spoke killed whatever glimmer of hope she had left. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “I’m going back to the reception.” He grimaced again as his gaze swept hers. “You should get cleaned up before you come back. We don’t want anyone to find out.” 

Unable to speak, she nodded and remained rooted to the spot, watching as he marched away from her. 

Away from his mistake. 

And that’s all she was really. 

A mistake. 

Her conception had been a mistake between her filthy rich father and her cocktail waitress turned mistress mother. 

Her very existence had ended Maddie’s parents’ marriage and caused her half-sister to bounce between houses for holidays and birthdays. 

Sky’s traumatic entrance to the world had wrecked her mother—emotionally and physically—and eventually caused her mother’s suicide.  

No matter what anyone said, Sky knew the truth. I’m the reason my mother died. 

And now she was a mistake that had broken Rafael and left him riddled with shame. 

Why do you always chase after things you can’t have? Why do you always have to reach too high? 

“Well, well, well,” Beverly, Maddie’s mother and the woman who hated her more than anything in the world, stepped out of the shadows. The iPhone clutched in her hand sent a wave of panic through Sky. Had she been recording?  

“What do you want?” Sky asked waspishly. 

“I should ask you the same thing.” Beverly looked every bit the part of outrageously wealthy socialite with her perfectly coiffed hair and that gossamer plum Valentino gown. “Did you really think you could win Mexico’s most eligible bachelor with that pathetic attempt at seduction?” 

​“No,” Sky replied meekly. It hadn’t been a planned seduction. It had been a spontaneous moment of romance. 

“I warned Maddie you would ruin the wedding, that you couldn’t be trusted to behave,” she sneered. Beverly walked toward her like a model on the runway, her gait so smooth and elegant that it made Sky envious. “Men like that don’t want desperate pick-me girls.” 

Her barb hit its mark. Is that all I am? A sad, pathetic failure of a seductress? 

“And, sweetheart, next time? Skip the cheap lace thong and spend the money on La Perla.” Her smirk made Sky’s skin crawl. “Victoria’s Secret? Really? I would say I’m shocked to see something that flimsy and cheap under Monique Lhuillier, but I suppose you’ve inherited your mother’s trashy taste.” 

It was a low blow, but that wasn’t the end of Beverly’s attack on the love child who had ruined her marriage. 

“If you don’t want to end up like your mother, you better run off and find a pharmacy with Plan B.” 

Embarrassed and humiliated, Sky fled the garden. Gripped with panic, she ran to her guest room and locked the door. What if Beverly told Rafael’s mother what she had done? That she had seduced Rafael? What if Beverly had been recording all of it? What if she shared video or photos of Rafael and her together like that? 

What would people say? The age gap was nothing to Sky, but other people wouldn’t see it that way. It would be a scandal. It would be a gossipy, ugly story that would overshadow and ruin Maddie’s honeymoon and the beginning of her marriage. 

Sky couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing her sister or Jaime’s family. She looked at the beautiful bracelet Soila had given her and felt like the scummiest person in the world. She had been welcomed into their family, and she had made a spectacle of herself. 

I have to get out of here. Now. 

She couldn’t face Rafael or his family again tonight. 

Maybe not ever. 
 
 

Here's a quick, silly scene I wrote for TEN but cut from the book.

It's Wilford's view of Ten invading his territory! [image error] wilford-free-read-pdf.pdfFile Size: 124 kbFile Type: pdfDownload File The giant my human chose is loud. His footsteps are like thunderclaps. The vibrations rattle through me, setting my claws on edge. His voice is too deep, too full, and his laughter makes the fur at the end of my tail puff out.

He constantly disturbs my rest. I can’t even finish a nap in this house without him opening and closing doors or rifling through our cabinets in search of food. He eats all the time, and my human doesn’t say a word about it.

But if I let her know she’s late with my evening snack? She rolls her eyes and sighs and acts as if I’m being dramatic. Dramatic! While my stomach eats itself because it’s so empty.

Even his smell is loud. Sweat, denim, testosterone—it invades our whole space and makes me feel itchy and annoyed. The soap he uses fills the house with fake forest smells, and I sneeze when my human picks me up after letting him paw all over her.

She thinks my sneezes are adorable. She makes sweet faces and tells me she loves me while brushing out my fur. If she really loved me, she wouldn’t force me into that mobile prison cell that she uses to carry me to his hovel. They expect me to use a litter tray in his tiny guest bathroom like some stray found in a dumpster.

She knows better. My ancestry is framed on the wall in our living room. I’m the scion of two great Himalayan champion feline bloodlines, and she lets that big-footed hulk treat me like a $5 shelter cat.

And now his disgusting shirt is stinking up my sofa.

She practically stripped him naked right in front of me. He came home from some place that leaves him smelling like feet and armpits, his skin ruddy and sweaty. I caught the scent of seven different men on him, each one worse than the last.

My human finds that stench intoxicating and acts like a feral cat in heat. It’s embarrassing. She can’t keep her hands off of him. She smiles up at him the way she used to smile at me. She lets him take up our whole bed, and I’m relegated to my banana in the office to escape his man stink.

Now, they’re in our bedroom doing unspeakable things. They’re like zoo animals. Curiosity really did almost kill this cat, and I’ll never forget the disgusting things I saw the first time I investigated.

He was mauling her between her legs, and she was trying to fight him off, kicking her feet and screaming. And then he mounted my human, and I couldn’t allow the attack to continue.

One little bite on his fat foot, and suddenly, I was banished from the bedroom. I might have swiped his legs with my claws as I scrambled to escape, but he deserved it for treating my human in that disrespectful way.

The other one wouldn’t treat her this way.

I couldn’t understand why she preferred this ogre when she could have had the gentle one from the cabin. He smelled of leather and mint and had soft hands as he gently scratched my neck. He was quiet and moved elegantly, and he never would have left his dirty clothes on my sofa.

Irritated, I hop up onto the shirt draped over the back of my sofa and extend my claws. My human calls this making biscuits. I usually keep my claws retracted but not today. I make sure to dig them into the damp fabric, tearing through the cotton as I knead it beneath my paws.

Each time my human screams and the troll growls, I rip a little more, all while imagining the shirt is still on his back. Nasty. Filthy. Dirty. Stinky. Man.

She cries out his name, and he shouts that he loves her. I feel something tickle the back of my throat, and nearly wretch on his shirt.

His heavy footsteps give me a short warning, and I hop off the sofa to avoid being caught destroying his shirt. One of my claws is still stuck in the fabric, and I drag it behind me as I skitter across the living room to the kitchen, shaking my paw to dislodge the tightly woven fabric. I manage to get free just moments before he steps into the kitchen.

Naked. Sweaty. Red. Covered in black marks from neck to ankles.

I glare at the appendage hanging between his legs and use some cat math to calculate how quickly I can swat it and dodge his foot. I had almost captured a hummingbird a few days ago before my human scolded me and dragged me back inside. A hummingbird had wings, and that thing didn’t.

“Did I leave my shirt on your sofa again?” The ogre bends down and sweeps it up off the ground. The white fur clinging to it betrays me. He pokes a thick finger through one of the holes I had made and frowns. “Wilford, this was one of my favorite gym shirts.”

I flick my tail and silently dare him to complain more.

“But your mother did say it was looking ratty and needed to be replaced.” The giant shrugs and tosses the shirt in the trash can. He eyes me suspiciously before reaching for the lid on the treat container my human keeps on the counter. “I’m starting to think you’re doing her dirty work for her.”

Hardly. I flick my tail again and watch him grab a few of the crunchy shrimp treats. He places them on the floor in front of me, but I don’t move forward to grab them yet. He has the most annoying habit of petting me with his giant hands when I am trying to eat.

“I know, I know,” he says patronizingly. “Step back before I get the murder mittens.”

When he walks to the refrigerator, I snatch the first treat and gobble it, all while wishing it was his bones crunching between my teeth. He starts to drink something in loud gulps, and I scowl at him, wondering what my human sees in him.

“You know, Wilford, this time next year, you might have a baby brother or sister.” He scratches at his bare chest and has a dopey smile on his face. “Time for Round Two, I think.”

As he leaves the kitchen, the ogre bends down and scratches my neck in the most undignified way, leaving my fur sticking up in all directions. I growl at him, but he just laughs.

Irritated, I finish my treats and consider his threat about a brother or sister. If my human thinks she’s sneaking another cat in here to share my territory, she is out of her mind. There is only room for one cat in this house!

The tickle in my throat returns. I had spent the morning grooming myself, cleaning my fur until it was shiny and soft. The downside to meticulous grooming is the hairball currently inching its way from my belly.

The giant’s stinky boots catch my eye. He left them in the laundry room, haphazardly blocking the doorway. My human has asked him multiple times to put them on the tray, but he never remembers. Probably because he’s too busy thinking of ways to get her naked.

I glide across the floor with silent steps. My scratchy throat refuses to be ignored much longer. I bat one of his boots with my paw, pulling at the laces and testing it. Yes, this will do fine.

As my human’s laughter and moans fill the house, I lean over the shoe and prepare to unleash my gift. The stench coming out of the boot would have knocked a vulture dead. If I hadn’t been on the verge of hacking up a hairball, that one sniff alone would have done it.

When I’m done delivering my gift, I prance off to the office and snuggle into my banana bed, hiding away under the top peel. The image of my human’s mate sticking his foot into that boot and finding my handmade gift fills me with joy. His suffering brings a smile to my face.

One way or another, he’s going to learn that I am the man of this house.

I'll be sharing new group promos offering readers tons of new hot, steamy books from favorite and new-to-you authors! AGE GAP ROMANCE! HOT PROTECTORS! MAFIA ROMANCE!

Available until Aug 19, 2023 at BN, Kobo, Apple, Google and Amazon. Available in Amazon Kindle Unlimited from August 20, 2023. Ten years ago, Nisha Jackson survived her serial killer husband but lost something precious during her escape. Since then, she’s built a successful life for herself. She has a beautiful home, a grumpy cat, beloved friends, and a career that brings her joy.  

There’s only one thing she wants to complete her life—Anton Vasiliev.  

Infamous for his loyalty to the mafia family he serves, Ten, as he’s known in Houston’s criminal underworld, is big, battle-hardened, and alpha to the core. He’s the sort of man Nisha should shy away from, but he makes her ache with unfulfilled desire.  

When her sadistic ex-husband escapes his prison transport, Nisha runs straight into Ten’s powerful, protective embrace. He vows to keep her safe—and in the process, she’ll discover what it means to be loved and worshipped as the curvy goddess she is.  

As for her ex? Well, she’s not the scared shell of a woman she was when he tried to kill her. She’s reclaimed her power—and she has a score to settle.  AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE APPLE KOBO GOOGLE

In case you missed it, here's a reminder that I have a free read that continues Besian and Marley's story. You can find the story in all formats here:   DOWNLOAD TIDY HERE

Grab your copy now! Amazon B & N Kobo Google Apple

Here's a simple infographic with the chronological reading order of the books I've written in the Houston underworld.

"Ten?”

At the sound of Nisha’s husky voice, his mouth went suddenly dry. Maybe he should have taken that water, after all. The moment he laid eyes on her, he was overwhelmed by needful yearning. Even in her simple, all-black outfit, she blew him away.

Not that anything about Nisha Jackson was ever simple. She toed that line of professional and sexy, showing just a hint of skin to drive a man wild. The fluttery top she wore today had short sleeves and a dip right in the front that gave him a very much appreciated glimpse of her cleavage. Her tight pants highlighted her thick thighs and that fat, spankable ass that made his brain go numb and his dick stand at attention. He wouldn’t let himself imagine what she was wearing under those pants. He could only control himself so much, and if he started thinking about running his hands over her plump bottom and giving it a good smack before diving in with his tongue—.

“Ten?” Nisha's brows drew together.

“You all right?”

"Yeah. Sorry.” His face flushed, and he was certain she knew exactly what he was thinking. She narrowed her eyes a bit. Fuck. Busted. In a rush, he blurted out, “You look beautiful today. Not just today,” he hurriedly clarified. “Every day. Always.” Blyad. “What I meant to say—.”

“Bro,” Billie cut in dramatically and slashed her fingers across her neck. “Stop digging.”

“Right.” His ears were burning, and he felt ridiculous and flustered like he was fourteen again, his voice cracking when he tried to ask out Daria Kwiatkowski in front of all her friends.

Nisha smiled gently. “Come on. Let’s get you in my chair before you open that mouth again and say something really silly.”

Billie giggled, and he shot her a glare. Most people would immediately clam up and apologize, but not this girl. She was like an annoying kid sister who always had to poke and prod.

When they reached Nisha’s station, he warily eyed the chair. “I’m not sure I’ll fit.”

“I fit,” she said reassuringly.

He frowned. “You’re also a foot shorter than me.”

“But a foot wider,” she remarked lightly.

“Hardly,” he grumbled, not at all happy that she would put herself down like that. Feeling more confident now that they were alone in her corner of the salon, he lowered his voice so only she would hear. “I meant what I said, Nisha. You’re beautiful. Today. Yesterday. Tomorrow. You’re the hottest fucking woman in this city.”

She gulped with surprise. “Ten.”

He stepped closer than he had ever dared. When she didn’t immediately step back, he took that as a good sign. She wasn’t putting up walls today. She was letting him in, and he was going to go as far she would let him.

Her perfume drove him wild, and he wanted to lean in and drag his nose along her neck and pulse points, to scent her like the dirty dog he was. “You smell good.”

She swallowed hard again, and her gaze dropped to his chest. “It’s Lost Cherry.” She finally dared to lift her gaze to his. “Tom Ford.”

He made sure to burn that piece of information into his brain for later use. He locked eyes with her, taking in the dark pools that seemed suddenly hazy. Feeling bold, he admitted, “I didn’t come here just for the haircut.”

“I figured as much.” Her gaze flicked to his mouth and then back to his eyes. “You’ve never been subtle about your interest, even if I don’t understand why a man like you would want anything to do with me.”

“Stop,” he commanded, not wanting to hear any of that nonsense. “Let’s get real, Nisha. You’re my superior in every way. I’m lucky you’re even letting me stand this close.”

She lifted her chin. “I’m considering letting you get even closer.”

His lips twitched with a smile. “How close?"

A new free read featuring Sergei and Bianca is here! 

This is a VERY SPICY READ. Like naughty hot. NSFW. Sergei and Bianca sneak away to Dallas for a business/romantic getaway, and a promise made when dating is finally fulfilled. PRIVATE DANCER PDF Epub or Kindle Version Here

My very poor attempt at Italian translation. Please forgive all the mistakes! Abbiamo avuto una serie di problemi medici molto inaspettati e seri nella nostra famiglia. Non viaggerò fuori dal Texas per il resto dell'anno.

Sfortunatamente, ciò significa che non parteciperò a RARE23 Firenze.

Sono così super dispiaciuto per questo. Ero molto entusiasta di andare in Italia per incontrare finalmente Eleanora, la mia editor di Follie, così come i lettori e un dottorando che ha usato uno dei miei libri per la sua tesi. Avevamo già organizzato libri stampati e molto altro ancora.

Sto attivamente cercando diverse opportunità per fare il viaggio in Italia per incontrare i lettori. Anche se è solo un piccolo incontro. Vi terrò aggiornati su ogni novità! We've had a series of very unexpected and serious medical issues arise in our family. I will not be traveling outside of Texas for the remainder of this year.

Unfortunately, that means I will not be attending RARE23 Firenze.

I am so super bummed about this.

I was very excited about going to Italy to finally meet Eleanora, my editor at Follie, as well as readers and a PhD graduate who used one of my books for her thesis. We already had print books arranged and so much more.

I am actively looking for different opportunities to make the trip to Italy to meet with readers. Even if it's only a small meet-and-greet. I'll keep you updated with any news!