Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!Today we have a delicious smooch from AT THE BILLIONAIRE'S BECK AND CALL? by Rachel Bailey, but first ...
the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is -- Marlena Cassidy!
Congratulations, Marlena! Can you please contact Natalie at
natalie (at) natalie-anderson (dot) com and she'll send you a copy of NICE GIRLS FINISH LAST.
And now for today's Sunday Smooch from AT THE BILLIONAIRE'S BECK AND CALL? by Rachel Bailey...
In a merger tailor-made for the tabloids, tycoon Ryder Bramson sought Macy Ashley's hand in marriage. But his true goal was to buy her father's company—and thereby wrest control of his own conglomerate from his illegitimate brothers. To ensnare Macy in his web of intrigue, Ryder first offered the beautiful businesswoman a job in his start-up. Yet slipping the ring on her finger proved more difficult.
Being a brash billionaire's corporate pawn wasn't independent-minded Macy's style. One the other hand, being the focus of this irresistible man's passion just might win her over to his scheme...
[Set up: Ryder is ready to ask Macy if she’ll agree to a marriage of convenience, so he asked her out for drinks and is now seeing her home. But he’s been having a little trouble keeping his mind on the goal.]
Their first date had gone well, all things considered. Now he just needed to garner an invitation to her apartment and outline his offer and its merits.
Three steps into the silent foyer, Macy turned on the marble floor and faced him. “I only have to go up that elevator. You’ve seen me home.” She moistened her lips and he couldn’t have dragged his gaze away with a gun to his head. Her scent, something exotic, surrounded him.
She was so damn beautiful he had to replay her words in his head to get her meaning. Was it a good thing or bad that the woman he wanted to marry made his body overheat and frazzled his brain?
“Invite me up,” he said.
She shivered almost imperceptibly, but then arched one eyebrow, as if in control. “Why would I do that?”
A slow smile spread across his face. Her veneer of control called to him, compelled him to move closer. He could see her writhing in his bed, in his arms, under him, all thoughts of control long gone.
His voice, when he found it, was rough. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Macy glanced at his mouth then met his eyes. “I don’t think talking’s what you have in mind.”
He reached and found her fingers with his, holding them at his side in the lightest of clasps. “Sure, just because I want to talk doesn’t mean I’m not aching to touch you.” To kiss you. To taste you.
Her pupils dilated to almost cover her hazel irises but she didn’t move.
He leaned over and brushed his lips lightly across hers, meaning it to be no more than a peck, a brief demonstration of his words. He began to pull away but couldn’t help gently touching her mouth again. Those lips had been on his mind for twelve hours straight. Just one more touch...
Her mouth yielded, opened to him, and he needed no second invitation for something he’d been wanting to do since she’d arrived at the bar. As he deepened the kiss, he moved forward, closing the distance but not pressing against her – not yet – the bulk of his coat ensuring a respectable distance. Her tongue lightly touched his, a caress sweeter than he’d even imagined.
Drunk on her exotic scent, he lifted his hands to cup her face, finding her cheeks were like silk under his palms. He felt her hands on his shoulders, lightly, then more assured as they traveled an exquisite path to his neck before her fingers tangled in his hair. He was lost.
You can still buy AT THE BILLIONAIRE'S BECK AND CALL? from eHarlequin (paper and eBook), Barnes & Noble for the nook, The Book Depository or at Amazon for kindle.
To win a copy of AT THE BILLIONAIRE'S BECK AND CALL? just leave a comment, and tell us if you’ve ever been to Melbourne, where most of the story takes place. If you win and you already have this book, you can choose another book from Rachel’s backlist.
Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced -- and a smooch from Medical Romance RETURN OF THE MAVERICK by Sue Mackay will be posted!
I have never been to Melbourne or much of anywhere outside of the US other than Canada before passports were required. But do enjoy books that take place in Australia as I learn a little bit about it.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI have read both the books- 'At the Billionaires Beck and Call' and also 'The Million Dollar Amnesia Scandal'. Enjoyed reading them immensely. They were both real page turners. Eagerly awaiting the third brothers story.
I have never been to Melbourne, although i have been to Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. When i come down at the end of this year, i will make sure to visit Melbourne. It sounds like an amazing place.
OMG! What a hot smooch!!!! Keep 'em coming, Rachel! Me wants more :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I've never been to melbourne ;) Frankly, I love reading books set in places I haven't visited :) Makes it all the more interesting !!!
Ellen, I feel the same about books set in places I've never been. I still clearly remember the first book I read that was set in the Montana mountains - I was mesmerized by the setting!
ReplyDeleteHi Sonali - so glad you enjoyed ABB&C and MDAS! There will be a smooch from the third brother's story, Return of the Secret Heir, in a few weeks. :)
ReplyDeleteMelbourne is gorgeous, but as a Queensland girl, I'm glad you've been to Brisbane and the Gold Coast!
Ju, thanks for the kind words about Macy and Ryder's first kiss. I had quite the crush on Ryder when I was writing that book. :)
ReplyDeleteYep, totally agree about loving books set in places I've never been. Adds that extra layer of interest.
Melbourne is at the top of my to go places....next trip across the ditch...here I come
ReplyDeleteShirley, hope you make it to Melbourne soon! It has a different feel to the other state capitals in Oz.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a tease of a kiss, Rach! I loved Ryder and Macy's story. Oh, and all the chocolate too, of course. :-) Can't wait to get my hands on JT's book.
ReplyDeleteMust admit that I love Melbourne too. Had a ball at the RWA conference there in August and having a chance to catch up with lots of the LoveCats. ;-)
I have never been to Melbourne, but I do watch the Australian Open on TV every year. I have a friend who lives in Sydney and I do hope to get to visit her someday soon.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, the chocolate was a big part of the fun for me in that book too! Dh and I had a ball coming up with exactly what their signature chocolate bar would be like. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes - the RWA conferences in Melbourne are always fab!
Jane, Sydney is way cool too. In fact, in At The Billionaire's Beck & Call, Ryder and Macy go for a trip to Sydney and even fit in lunch on a cruiser on Sydney Harbour. Stunning place!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Michelle - what a tease!! I wanted to keep on reading :)
ReplyDeleteI love Melbourne! Although I'm from Perth, I lived in Sydney for four years and travelled down to Melbourne for work on holidays (or to watch my footy team) regularly. Such a super cool city :)
Fabulous kiss, Rachel -- I love this book! I think I recently read that Melbourne is the best city to live in the world ... would that be right? Can't wait to read JT's book!
ReplyDeleteWhat a smooch! I read Macy and Ryders story and enjoyed it very much and all the chocolate!
ReplyDeleteThen I read your Million-Dollar Amnesia Scandal and thought, wow! this is so much more!
Now I'm agerly waing to read JT's story.
I've never been to Melbourne, just to Sydney and Canberra. Would love to visit Melbourne sometime.
Leah, I've never been to Perth, but I'm planning a trip around the RWA conference in 2013. Hoping to bring Dh and do a bit of sightseeing!
ReplyDeleteEmily, I read that too - Melbourne is the world's most livable city. Though I have to say the weather is better in Qld. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked Ryder and Macy's story - especially as it was dedicated to you! =)
Nas, you say the sweetest things. :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIf you get a chance to visit Melbourne, grab it - it really feels different to Sydney and Canberra.
I've been to Melbourne many times over the years. I have lived mostly in QLD & Sydney though.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Marybelle, you sound like me - I've lived in Qld and visited Melbourne over the years. Though I haven't lived in Sydney, so I'm a little green about that. :)
ReplyDeleteYay, for the gorgeous Ryder and Macy! Rachel, that's a fabulous smooch!
ReplyDelete:)
Sharon
Aw, thanks, Sharon! It was nice to visit with Ryder and Macy again. :)
ReplyDelete