But first, the WINNER of last week's Sunday Smooch giveaway is JM BARTON! Congratulations. To claim your prize, please contact Clare at Clareconnelly@outlook.com
Desert captives for one night
Bound forever by their unexpected baby
When desert prince Ashraf was kidnapped alongside geologist Tori, their desperation to escape their life-threatening situation led to a moment of passionate oblivion. Rescued the next day, Ash was never able to discover Tori’s fate. He’s finally found her… But in their time apart, Tori has had his son! And now Ash will stop at nothing to claim them both!
Scene set-up
One night stranded with a stranger in fear for their lives, drove Tori and Ash together, only to be parted the next morning. Now, more than a year later, Ash has found her again and discovered she's had his child. Determined to acknowledge his son and provide for the feisty yet sometimes fragile woman who attracts him as no other, Ash, now Sheikh Ashraf, suggests a marriage of convenience and invites her to his homeland. Tori, determined her son with know both his parents, reluctantly agrees, but is determined to resist capitulating and entering a loveless marriage.
Smooch -
Ashraf scooped her closer, his hard frame
solid muscle against her wet body. Tori clung tight, one hand clutching his
robe, the other slipping from his grasp to slide up the back of his neck.
She heard a muffled grunt of approval as her
fingers channelled through thick hair to splay possessively over the back of
his head.
Tori’s tongue danced with his, hunger
cresting as she went up on her toes, trying to meld herself to him. His taste,
his scent, his mouth were achingly familiar, as if it was just a few days since
they’d made love.
Had they kissed like this in the desert?
Surely not. Then they’d been strangers. Ashraf didn’t feel like a stranger now.
Remarkable to think they’d been together for such a short time, for it seemed
they knew each other at some deep level beyond words. He was the man who filled
her thoughts and dreams. Who had done so since that night together. He was the
one man who’d woken her dormant libido after the rigours and exhaustion of
pregnancy and motherhood.
The man she needed as she’d never before
needed anyone. The realisation made her freeze in his embrace.
Instantly he lifted his head, eyes glinting like
black gems as they searched her face.
Tori heard the stertorous rasp of heavy
breathing, felt her lungs heave and the push of his chest against her breasts
as he too hauled in oxygen. Reaction juddered down her backbone and quivered
across her skin. Being so close to him, touching him, undid her carefully
cultivated caution. It allowed something wild inside her to take hold.
The air was smoky with desire, thick and
scented with arousal. Yet the unspoken question was clear in Ashraf’s
expression.
Did she want to stop?
Emotion swelled. As strong even as the desire
emblazoned in her bones. Tenderness for this man who put her needs before his
own.
Tori shivered at the enormity of her feelings.
Yet she shied from investigating them too closely.
Ashraf straightened and pulled away. He’d
misread her.
‘No!’ She fastened both hands on his
shoulders, fingers digging into fine cotton, pads of muscle and beneath that,
implacable bone. ‘Don’t.’
‘Don’t kiss you, or—?’
‘Don’t stop.’
Yet instead of closing the gap Ashraf
surveyed her as if he felt none of her urgency. Only the flare of his nostrils
betrayed he’d been affected too.
‘So there’s at least one thing about me you
approve of.’
He wanted to talk? Frustration surged and
suspicion.
‘Are you fishing for compliments?’
She spied a flicker of movement at the corner
of his mouth and a tingle of delight teased her.
‘No. But I’ll take any you
want to throw my way.’ His lips firmed. ‘You’re not a woman easily swept off
her feet, Victoria Miranda Nilsson.’
In this story Tori is a geologist who'd been to the desert doing a survey for a mining company. It's a profession that's still male dominated and I enjoyed writing about a competent woman in that field. What occupation would you like to see for a romance heroine, or hero for that matter?
By the way, this is book 1 in my 'Royal Brides for Desert Brothers' miniseries. It's a standalone story, but if you'd like to find out what happens to Ashraf's brother, Karim, look out for DEMANDING HIS DESERT QUEEN.
Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced and another smooch will be posted!
Smooch Graphic by WebWeaver
