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Click over to 'Bonus Material' for the prequel to Keyed Up, and experience Penelope and Sebastian meeting for the first time!
My newest release from Evernight Publishing
Photographer's assistant, Audri secretly crushes on cover model Carson. When an impromptu photo shoot puts her in his arms, she'll learn she's not the only one harboring desires. But with pain from the past and obstacles put in their way, can they break down their barriers and learn to trust... to love?
tinyurl.com/y7zo3bwc
Photographer's assistant, Audri secretly crushes on cover model Carson. When an impromptu photo shoot puts her in his arms, she'll learn she's not the only one harboring desires. But with pain from the past and obstacles put in their way, can they break down their barriers and learn to trust... to love?
tinyurl.com/y7zo3bwc
Excerpt: In a Flash
Audri refocused, pushing her glasses up on her nose. Again, she had to tilt her head skyward to face off with the hulking form of
another freaking hot guy—one whose arms she dearly wanted to have around her, but equally dreaded. She knew she took an audible gulp, and she thought for sure she saw a grin adorn Carson’s lips as he slid past her to take up where Marcus left off.
“Audri, same as before,” Jesse called out while fussing with the lighting. “Carson, against the desk, Audri, step up to him.”
Audri turned away from Carson, growing more uncomfortable by the second. “Jesse, is this really necessary? Get Tasha in here to do
the job. That’s why she’s here.” She was ready to be done. Truth be told, she was afraid of sweating bullets and embarrassing herself.
Just as she was about to walk away, Carson spoke, causing her to whip her head back around and stare at him.
"C’mon, cupcake, I know you’re ready for this.”
Calling out that nickname would normally piss her off, but his wicked grin and the low rumble of his voice only caused her belly to
tumble with delight. As he rested casually against the desk, ankles crossed and hands folded together in front of him, his grin changed
into a seductive invitation. He seemed to be daring her, challenging her to indeed step up and finish this session with him. Never one to back down from a challenge, she summoned her courage and gave him a saucy smile.
Fine! I can do this. I’ll show him.
She raked her gaze over his torso where his white dress shirt protested across his impressive chest and wide shoulders, pushing the
limits of how far the material could be stretched. Her fingers itched to smooth out the creases, or better yet, undo every last button and free him from the garment. Oh, to have her hands on his glorious skin. She had to clench her fists at her sides as she took a fortifying breath to center herself.
Audri’s gaze ventured back to his eyes as she slowly sauntered toward him, over-emphasizing the sway in her hips. She never broke
eye contact and was pleased to see a flash of shock register on his face. What she witnessed next nearly had her tripping in her heals.
Was that desire on his face? Desire? Impossible!
Audri’s pulse raced as she watched his eyes question, almost begging, pleading for her to come to him. He sat up straighter as he
uncrossed his legs, planting his feet on the ground while his hands gripped the edge of the desk. Her careful steps led her closer and
closer as she tried to push aside the uncertainty of her actions. She wanted him to see she wasn’t intimidated by him—no matter how
much she really was intimidated by him.
All else around her faded away as Audri focused on Carson, feeling like David facing off with Goliath. Even with him in his
seated position, his imposing form still seemed to tower over her. She tried not to let that bother her in the least as she stepped right up between his legs, bringing her body within inches of his. Still keeping his gaze, she was rewarded with another hint of surprise before his stare smoldered. Audri swore she could feel the heat radiating off his body, and suddenly she didn’t miss her sweater so much.
She boldly reached out to place her hands behind Carson’s head, her nails lightly scraping his neck, wishing she could release the
strands of his lush hair from its confines. She could’ve sworn she felt a shudder roll through him as he closed his eyes and released a shaky breath. When he opened his eyes and smiled, sweet and warm, the heat she now felt threatened to melt her into a puddle of goo.
Ever so slowly, as if not to spook her, Carson brought an arm around her waist while his other hand slowly trailed across her outer
arm and down her side. His fingers danced tenderly across her exposed flesh, his touch eliciting tiny shivers as it simultaneously
fired her up. The arm snuggling her waist felt like a branding iron, leaving its mark of unrelenting fiery heat. Her entire body began to
burn as he pulled her impossibly closer, his powerful thighs encasing her hips and the smooth silk of his shirt grazing her exposed cleavage.
As their breaths increased, mingled, Audri was certain she could hear the frantic beat of their hearts pounding in sync. She
splayed her fingers around Carson’s neck, kneading his flesh, feeling the tense muscles slowly relaxing beneath her touch. Focusing on the steady caress of his hands on her back, she couldn’t look away from the softness in his eyes.
She licked her lips, suddenly parched, wishing she could steal the moisture from his mouth with a kiss. And when his gaze shifted to
her lips then back to her eyes, maybe he thought the same as he mimicked her move, swiping his tongue across his plump lower lip.
Audri disguised her groan with a remark she knew sounded much too needy.
“Are you ready for this?”
Audri refocused, pushing her glasses up on her nose. Again, she had to tilt her head skyward to face off with the hulking form of
another freaking hot guy—one whose arms she dearly wanted to have around her, but equally dreaded. She knew she took an audible gulp, and she thought for sure she saw a grin adorn Carson’s lips as he slid past her to take up where Marcus left off.
“Audri, same as before,” Jesse called out while fussing with the lighting. “Carson, against the desk, Audri, step up to him.”
Audri turned away from Carson, growing more uncomfortable by the second. “Jesse, is this really necessary? Get Tasha in here to do
the job. That’s why she’s here.” She was ready to be done. Truth be told, she was afraid of sweating bullets and embarrassing herself.
Just as she was about to walk away, Carson spoke, causing her to whip her head back around and stare at him.
"C’mon, cupcake, I know you’re ready for this.”
Calling out that nickname would normally piss her off, but his wicked grin and the low rumble of his voice only caused her belly to
tumble with delight. As he rested casually against the desk, ankles crossed and hands folded together in front of him, his grin changed
into a seductive invitation. He seemed to be daring her, challenging her to indeed step up and finish this session with him. Never one to back down from a challenge, she summoned her courage and gave him a saucy smile.
Fine! I can do this. I’ll show him.
She raked her gaze over his torso where his white dress shirt protested across his impressive chest and wide shoulders, pushing the
limits of how far the material could be stretched. Her fingers itched to smooth out the creases, or better yet, undo every last button and free him from the garment. Oh, to have her hands on his glorious skin. She had to clench her fists at her sides as she took a fortifying breath to center herself.
Audri’s gaze ventured back to his eyes as she slowly sauntered toward him, over-emphasizing the sway in her hips. She never broke
eye contact and was pleased to see a flash of shock register on his face. What she witnessed next nearly had her tripping in her heals.
Was that desire on his face? Desire? Impossible!
Audri’s pulse raced as she watched his eyes question, almost begging, pleading for her to come to him. He sat up straighter as he
uncrossed his legs, planting his feet on the ground while his hands gripped the edge of the desk. Her careful steps led her closer and
closer as she tried to push aside the uncertainty of her actions. She wanted him to see she wasn’t intimidated by him—no matter how
much she really was intimidated by him.
All else around her faded away as Audri focused on Carson, feeling like David facing off with Goliath. Even with him in his
seated position, his imposing form still seemed to tower over her. She tried not to let that bother her in the least as she stepped right up between his legs, bringing her body within inches of his. Still keeping his gaze, she was rewarded with another hint of surprise before his stare smoldered. Audri swore she could feel the heat radiating off his body, and suddenly she didn’t miss her sweater so much.
She boldly reached out to place her hands behind Carson’s head, her nails lightly scraping his neck, wishing she could release the
strands of his lush hair from its confines. She could’ve sworn she felt a shudder roll through him as he closed his eyes and released a shaky breath. When he opened his eyes and smiled, sweet and warm, the heat she now felt threatened to melt her into a puddle of goo.
Ever so slowly, as if not to spook her, Carson brought an arm around her waist while his other hand slowly trailed across her outer
arm and down her side. His fingers danced tenderly across her exposed flesh, his touch eliciting tiny shivers as it simultaneously
fired her up. The arm snuggling her waist felt like a branding iron, leaving its mark of unrelenting fiery heat. Her entire body began to
burn as he pulled her impossibly closer, his powerful thighs encasing her hips and the smooth silk of his shirt grazing her exposed cleavage.
As their breaths increased, mingled, Audri was certain she could hear the frantic beat of their hearts pounding in sync. She
splayed her fingers around Carson’s neck, kneading his flesh, feeling the tense muscles slowly relaxing beneath her touch. Focusing on the steady caress of his hands on her back, she couldn’t look away from the softness in his eyes.
She licked her lips, suddenly parched, wishing she could steal the moisture from his mouth with a kiss. And when his gaze shifted to
her lips then back to her eyes, maybe he thought the same as he mimicked her move, swiping his tongue across his plump lower lip.
Audri disguised her groan with a remark she knew sounded much too needy.
“Are you ready for this?”
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Be sure to catch all the podcasts and discover authors of the Pacific Northwest!
Here's the link to mine: vikkijcarter.podbean.com/e/episode-1-laura-baird-romance-author/ |
Listen to my radio interview at ArtistFirst
media.artistfirst.com/Authors-First_2018-10-11_Laura_M_Baird.mp3
Find poetry, prose, and stories at Spillwords.com ... like my prose entitled "Dad"
spillwords.com/dad/
My Poem - "Abandoned Faith"
spillwords.com/abandoned-faith/
My Poem - "Reflection"
spillwords.com/reflection-by-laura-m-baird/
Excerpt from "Unexpected Adventures"
“We’re here! Let the fun begin!” Denise shuts off the engine, throws the keys in my direction, and quickly exits the car. I barely
have time to react so the keys don’t smack me in the face. Luckily I’m spared that embarrassment. But I fumble with the keys, dropping them onto the floor by Shaun’s feet. I try to stretch over the console and twist around as we both reach for them at the same time, bumping our heads in that classic way. We each draw back, me wincing, him grinning.
“Sorry, my head seems to be harder than yours,” he says.
“No kidding.” I quickly smack my hand over my mouth.
“It’s okay, no need to be embarrassed. Here.” He hands me the keys, which I drop in my bag. “Why don’t we start again?” He
extends his hand toward me. “Hi. I’m Shaun Porter.”
I look at his hand, then back to his face. I’m so mesmerized by his eyes, all I can do is stare.
“I promise I won’t bite.”
My nervous laughter causes him to smile. I slide my hand into his and shake it, immediately feeling his warmth. Parts of his skin are
rough, parts are smooth. My eyes never leave his as he leans in close, parting his lips to speak again.
But not before I blurt out, “Let me guess, not unless I want you to, right?”
The outburst startles me and I feel flush. Not to mention nauseated. Good Lord, what is wrong with me?
“Not exactly where I was going, but, okay.”
“I’m sorry.” I pull my hand from his, turning to open the door. “I’ll just exit this car and you pretend I never uttered a word.” I finally
get out and try dashing toward the house. I hear the car door slam as Shaun gets out, trotting to catch up to me, his flip-flops slapping his heels.
“Abby, wait.”
I hurry my pace but he has no problem catching up to me.
“Wait, I’ll walk with you.”
I remain quiet although he’s determined to engage in conversation as he speaks again.
“So how long are you visiting your sister?”
“Monday.”
“Through Monday, or are you returning Monday?”
“Uh huh.” I’m not really paying attention to his words, I’m just trying to make it into the house without making a fool of myself
any more than I already have. Evidently that’s not going to happen as I stumble in the grass and Shaun bursts forward, reaching out to save me from a face plant. He hauls me up, our chests touching, his hands cupping my elbows. I
pull back as if he’s on fire, which he is, because my god, he’s hot…
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yes, thank you.” I side-step him to continue walking, then stop and turn back. “Um, no, actually I’m not. Look, I’m just going to
say it. You’re gorgeous.”
He looks surprised but continues to grin. So cute.
“I’m sure you get that all the time.” I feel my face flame. “And I’m awkward and making a fool of myself.”
“Abby…”
“So, to avoid any further embarrassment, would you just please stand here and count to ten, giving me a head start? Okay?
Great.” I quickly turn again toward the house, thinking I’m finally going to get inside without further incident. Nope. Shaun speed-counts to ten––out loud, mind you––in about four seconds before rushing to catch up to me again.
“You didn’t say I had to count slowly.”
I can’t help but giggle.
“Look, I find you attractive and intriguing.”
I snort and don’t even mind. I think I’m beyond trying to be smooth.
He chuckles. “We really can start again.”
I look at him out of the corner of my eye. “How many doovers are you going to give me?”
“As many as it takes.”
I stop to face him, almost reluctant to accept what he’s saying. He seems sincere, and he’s just so dang sexy. Here goes nothing…
“Okay.” I extend my hand. “Abby Carter.”
He takes my hand. “Shaun Porter. Pleased to meet you.”