Sunday Smooch - Burning for the Italian by Annie West

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!


Today we have a smooch from Annie West but first ... the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is KERRI S!


Can you please contact clareconnelly(at)outlook.com to receive your copy of 'Bound by the Billionaire's Vows'.


And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Annie West's new release BURNING FOR THE ITALIAN.

It was only an affair – till they broke all the rules.

Fashion designer Sonia Rossi moves to Italy for a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity and the chance to get over her boyfriend’s betrayal. She doesn’t bargain on finding a naked sex god living in her apartment! It’s impossible to eject six-plus feet of virile Italian male, and her bank balance plus Rome’s rental market mean finding another apartment isn’t easy. What choice does she have but to make the best of circumstances? Besides, it could be the chance to sear away painful memories and replace them with sizzling new ones.

Renzo Veracini is delighted to discover his borrowed apartment comes complete with a feisty and utterly desirable tenant. Soon he’s tempting the alluring Sonia into letting down her guard to enjoy la dolce vita. Along the way he finds himself changing his plans, and breaking the rules, to stay with his delectable lover. But then rules were made to be broken, weren’t they?

Scene set-up
It's been instant attraction between Sonia and Renzo from the day she arrived in Rome. But when Sonia finally admits her desire for her sexy flatmate the inevitable happens and that passion combusts.

Smooch  -

The front door closed behind them and relief flooded Sonia, along with welling anticipation.

It had taken fifteen minutes to walk back from the party. Fifteen minutes with Renzo’s arm around her waist, and her wondering how much longer she could survive the exquisite torture of being near but not near enough. Pressed against his hard body, feeling the imprint of his splayed hand hot through the fragile silk of her dress made her eager for more, so much more.

She turned to him. ‘I think...’

Her words died as he bent and swung her up into his arms, close against his chest.

She’d never been held in a man’s arms like this. Never felt that rush of disorientation mixed with heady awareness of his superior strength and the physical differences between them.

‘I wanted to do that at the party.’ Renzo’s mouth curved in a wry smile. ‘But I figured you wouldn’t appreciate being carried through the streets.’

‘I...’ He expected her to say it would have been outrageous and inappropriate. Yet all Sonia could think of with his arm cradling her legs and another circling her back, his hand on her ribs just below her breast, was that it felt perfect.

‘I like it,’ she said, when she finally found her voice. ‘I like how strong you are.’

Instantly she felt muscles flex around her. The gleam in his eyes brightened. It was as if she looked into molten onyx, burning almost black with passion.

‘And I like how soft you are.’ The hand on her ribs shifted, making her aware that only the thinnest layer of silk separated their flesh. ‘Soft but not weak.’

Then he was walking, no, striding down the corridor and Sonia’s heart kept pace, quickening as he shouldered open a door into a moon-washed bedroom.

She hadn’t been in his room before. Saw it now as a play of silver on black. The vast bed, neatly made. Then Renzo changed his hold, putting her down and in the process, letting her slide against that hard, honed body. His belt buckle caught her dress, making it ruck up a little, but it was his solid erection that made her breath stop and her pulse gallop. Sonia swallowed hard as she felt each proud centimetre press against her.

Had she ever wanted a man as desperately as she wanted Renzo? She shuddered as she slid to the floor, coming to rest between Renzo’s legs.

‘You’re cold?’

Sonia shook her head. ‘Anything but. I’m burning up.’ Her hands rose to his shirt, flicking the buttons undone. Her fingers brushed hot skin and grew unsteady.

At her waist Renzo’s hands clamped hard as he tilted his hips against her. Fire shot through her belly to her womb and she heard herself gasp.

‘That feels so good.’ She tugged harder at his shirt and heard it tear. A couple of buttons flew off, pattering against her breasts. ‘Sorry!’

‘Don’t apologise, tesoro.’ Renzo’s voice was rougher than usual, husky and deep. ‘It’s only a shirt. I love that you’re eager too.’

Eager? She was desperate! She wanted to rip his clothes away and—

Maybe he was a mindreader for a second later Renzo released her to shrug off his jacket, then haul the mauled shirt from his trousers and tear it off.

Each movement created a mesmerising play of etched muscles across his torso and powerful arms. His chest hair and the dark line that arrowed from it down to his belly fascinated her.

Sonia dragged her fingers across one pectoral muscle, feeling the heat, the crisp hair, the thud of his heart. She paused at his flat nipple, scraping her nail across it and watching, enthralled, as it tightened.

She leaned in, pressing her mouth to the dark disc, laving, tasting the salty, spice tang of his flesh. Then she sucked, drawing his nipple into her mouth and unleashing a storm of fractured Italian.

Renzo’s husky voice did alarming, wonderful things to her. His lips moved against her hair and her scalp tightened.

‘Renzo. Please. I want—’

‘I want you too. All of you.’ On the words he backed her towards the bed and guided her down onto the mattress. Kisses rained across her cheek, her ear, her neck. Sonia linked her hands behind his head, tunnelling her fingers through his thick hair, straining towards him, offering her mouth as he blanketed her with his tall frame.

Renzo’s dark eyes burned so hot she felt the lick of flames across her lips. ‘No, tesoro. Not yet. If I kiss you...’ He shook his head. ‘I promised you pleasure. That takes time.’

We didn't get quite as far as the Smooch, but you get the idea!

I hope, if you read BURNING, you enjoy it as much as I did!

I'm currently finishing the book that I've been working on and am beginning to think about what story next. Do you have any suggestions?

I'll give away a Kindle copy of BURNING FOR THE ITALIAN to one person who leaves a comment.

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced!

Smooch Graphic by WebWeaver

Sunday Smooch - His Majesty's Temporary Bride

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!

Today we have a smooch from Annie West but first 


... the winners of the big book bundles from Friday's welcome party for  Clare Connelly are:  
Kristine *chaos*,
Nobody/Ginette, and
Savannah Blaize.

Can you please contact annie(at)annie-west.com to receive your prizes. 


And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Annie West's book HIS MAJESTY'S TEMPORARY BRIDE.

Out of the shadows…  

As the illegitimate secret daughter of royalty, Cat's life has been far from luxurious. After years of bullying, she's set against a return to her childhood home. But her princess half sister has mysteriously disappeared ahead of her engagement to charismatic King Alexander. 

…into the bed of the king! 


Cat agrees to stand in for her—but she didn't agree to the electric attraction between her and Alex! He might have no idea who she really is—but when their insatiable desire threatens to strip away every boundary between them, Cat cannot hold back from the temptation of Alex's caress…

Scene set-up

Cat is installed in the palace of St Galla, covering for her missing half-sister, Princess Amelie, who's gone missing. Cat has agreed to pretend to be Amelie for a few days. To Cat's horror, she discovers the man she'd met and been instantly attracted to just days before, is King Alex of Bengaria, now staying in the palace as a potential suitor for her sister. Could life get more complicated? Especially when the sizzle of attraction between her and Alex is stronger than ever? Now, seeking privacy away from the palace, Alex has followed her on her morning jog along a private coastal path. Not knowing about her true identity, and believing the woman he wants so badly is Amelie, he explains that he's not ready for a marriage of convenience, despite the simmering passion electrifying the air between them.

Smooch  -

Cat nodded. ‘You don’t want to marry.’

‘I’ve got too much to do. There’s still so much work to get Bengaria back on track. I haven’t got time for a wife. I’m not ready to be a father.’

Yet Alex didn’t draw back. If anything he seemed closer.

‘If I wanted a bride it would be different.’ His voice was husky.

Cat didn’t trust herself to speak. His expression held her spellbound, though logic screamed that she needed to put distance between them.

‘If I wanted a bride I couldn’t go past those big green eyes. Or those lips. I’d be suggesting we got to know each other much better.’ His thumb dipped from her cheek to her mouth, pressing her lower lip and dragging it down. Cat exhaled, lungs tight, nipples budding against the constraint of her bra as his thumb stroked her lip, once, twice, till she couldn’t resist and tasted him with the tip of her tongue. He was salt and spice and frighteningly addictive.

His eyes dilated, his breath warm on her face, he crowded closer, long legs bracketing hers. His other arm stretched out to the tree trunk behind her as if Alex too felt the sudden need for safe anchor as the ground seemed to ripple and swell.

‘And as for this body…’ To her dismay his hand dropped but before she could frame a protest she felt his touch, tantalising and soft, brush her collarbone, then trace the wide neckline of her T shirt, before sliding down.

Cat’s breath stalled as his knuckles brushed the outer swell of her breast, slowing then tracing down her ribs then splaying at her waist. Those long, hard fingers made her aware of how small she was compared with him. Of how much strength resided in those large, capable hands and that taut, athletic body.

Her mouth was parched but she had to find words to make him back off. This was too dangerous. To her masquerade but also to her. She teetered on the brink of feelings that made a mockery of all her training, her strength and control. She swallowed and moistened her lips with her tongue then opened her mouth to speak.

But the words didn’t come because Alex’s mouth settled on hers and the world exploded.

*

A shudder of satisfaction ripped through him as he delved into Cat’s mouth. The hairs on his nape lifted and his flesh prickled in a wash of excitement.

Yes.

This.

He angled his head for better access and found his eyes closing as he concentrated on the lush, moist warmth of her. Cat tasted like no other woman. A flavour he couldn’t name, yet had surely craved all his life.

He let go of the tree and cupped her jaw, caressing, holding her still when she would have moved. A mighty shudder racked her. He heard the swift intake of her breath and knew she felt that slam of recognition too.

Instinctively he crowded her against the pine tree, not hard, but enough to stymie an easy escape. He needed her here where he could explore the rightness of them together.

It must be an illusion. Yet it felt as if their bodies recognised and welcomed each other.

But he’d never met Cat till two days ago. Neither at an official function or even incognito in the years he’d worked as a pilot. He’d have remembered her taste, those stunning eyes, and the vibrant challenge of her.

He’d swear he’d be able to identify this woman even if he were blindfolded.

She refused to kiss him back, standing rigid. But he’d heard the hum of pleasure she hadn’t been able to stifle, felt that initial tremor of delight. He loosened his grip on her waist and trawled his fingers up over her ribcage and a shudder ripped through her.

Alex stifled a smile of satisfaction.

He should resist this as she tried to. Getting tangled up with Princess Amelie at the same time he was rejecting an offer to marry her was fraught with potential disaster.

Yet the tug of need was so compelling he couldn’t shut it off.

Didn’t want to shut it off.

This was about sex, not dynastic machinations. It was raw and real, not finessed.

After years of royal duty this was a lungful of clean air after claustrophobia. Like putting a new jet through its paces, the freedom of skimming to the horizon on a slipstream of pure adrenaline.

He slid his hand from her jaw, across that smooth cheek to her thick, silky hair. Desire spiked, driving heat through his belly as he dug his fingers in, revelling in that rich softness and enjoying her tell-tale movement as she tilted her head into his caressing hand.

Deftly he pulled away the tie that kept her hair up and again she moved, helping him. Then his hands were cupping her skull as he deepened the kiss.

Her hands rose to his arms. He felt her tight grasp as if she’d wrench his hands away. Her chest expanded mightily, pushing those ripe breasts against his torso and sending his blood south in a sudden rush.

Tension held him immobile, knowing and hating she was about to break away when he wasn’t ready to stop.

But she surprised him. Her hands slid up his shoulders, clinging tight and strong, tugging him closer, not pushing away.

With a soft sound that might have been relief or possibly dismay, she leaned in. Her breasts crushed against him, her lithe body supple and urgent in all the right places.

Then she was kissing him back with an urgency that sent the last of his control spiralling into nothingness.

Cat didn't want to masquerade as her sister, but in the end, gave in to pressure and accepted the role, partly out of curiosity about her royal sister's life. 

If you were given the chance to live in someone else's shoes for a day, who would you choose? 

Leave a comment and you'll go in the (international) draw to win a signed copy of  'His Majesty's Temporary Bride'.

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced and a smooch from Melanie Milburne will be posted!

Smooch Graphic by WebWeaver

Sunday Smooch - 'Seducing His Enemy's Daughter' by Annie West

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!

Today we have a smooch from Annie West but first 


... the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is Sharlene.


Can you please contact amy(at)amyandrews(dot)com(dot)au to receive your copy of 'Some Girls Do'.


And now for today's Sunday Smooch from SEDUCING HIS ENEMY'S DAUGHTER.


Just a pawn in Salazar’s game?  

Donato Salazar can’t forget his tragic past and he has no intention of forgiving the man responsible. Jilting his enemy’s daughter will be the icing on the cake of his revenge, and beautiful Ella Sanderson is certainly sweet enough.
Except Ella isn’t the vacuous socialite he expected and she refuses to marry him! Her rebelliousness only makes Donato want her more, so he’ll have to persuade her…touch by breathtaking touch. But soon Donato finds himself enthralled by their magnetic connection.
As their fake wedding day approaches, one question weighs heavily on Donato’s mind: to love, honor…and betray?

 

Scene set-up
Ella and Donato have been resisting the sizzling attraction between them for a long time (or so it feels). Ostensibly they're enemies but behind the fighting words there's a lot more going on. Donato has just challenged Ella to admit the attraction and act on it.

Smooch  -

 

The moment of silence grew to two pulse beats, three, four, more. His nerves and his patience stretched. He forced himself to stand unmoving, as if he wasn’t strung out.

Then with what sounded like a muffled oath, Ella launched herself forward. She cannoned into him, soft and curvaceous, warm and delectably feminine. Automatically he grabbed her to him, catching her in a tight hold. Her arms looped up over his shoulders, her hands burrowing up through his hair, pulling his head down.

He had a moment to register that fresh-as-a-garden-after-rain scent then their mouths collided and his brain shorted.

So good. She felt even better than he’d expected. And she tasted—

Donato plunged deep into her mouth, forcing her head back, swallowing her sigh of response. Ribbons of heat unfurled through him as he savoured Ella, so delicious, so right. Her soft lips, her demanding tongue, the way she melted into him even as she challenged him to give more. He angled his head, hauling her even closer, lost in a kiss that was so much more than he’d expected, despite his anticipation.

He couldn’t get enough. Her lush body cushioning his instant erection. Her hot, eager mouth that tasted of peach nectar. Her thigh, sliding restlessly against his leg as their tongues tangled and lips fused.

Donato grabbed her thigh and hauled it up, swallowing her gasp of shocked approval. There. He wanted her there. He bent his knees, angling his hips so he rubbed against the softest, most secret part of her.

To his delight Ella’s hands tightened against his scalp, not pushing him away but clutching as if she couldn’t get close enough.

Dimly he wondered what had happened to slow seduction. To years of expertise at pleasing a woman. To caution and taking things one step at a time.

With Ella there were no steps. There was just a headlong plunge into riotous need.

Now, I'm giving away a copy of 'Seducing His Enemy's Daughter' (International) to someone who leaves a comment. To get you started, and because the lovely, lush cover of this one features the Sydney Opera House, tell me what performance you'd like to attend live there. A favourite opera? A play? A particular rock band in concert? A musical? A one man/woman show? Or something completely different.

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced and a smooch from Helen Lacey will be posted!

Smooch Graphic by WebWeaver

Release Day Nerves

It's release week for The Billionaire's Passionate Revenge and the nerves are building.  Fortunately a couple of five-star reviews have popped up already on goodreads, but it doesn't stop the 'will people enjoy it' jitters. 

I loved writing this book. It's the third book in my Billionaire Romance series. This book is a bit of a departure from the other two as it is set almost exclusively in the heroine’s ancestral home, Ravensdale Manor in Devon, England. The other two books in the series, The Billionaire’s Pursuit of Love and Tempted by the Billionaire Tycoon, feature trips to exotic, glamorous locations like Brunei and Paris. Although, in Billionaire #3 there is a spicy trip to London that plays out in a gorgeous suite at The Savoy. I love that hotel. 

I based Ravensdale Manor on the many stately homes I visited when I lived in England. I loved heading out from London on weekends and exploring English history. Visiting place like Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, or Blenheim Palace, the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill, just fantastic.

Xavier’s character has been in my head for at least five years.  I’m thrilled I’ve finally got him out on the page. I have to admit I’m a little in love with him. He’s suffered so much tragedy and betrayal but gets up and keeps going. I love his determination, passion and his incredible kindness. And Zara. She’s in big, big trouble, but you’ll have to read all about it to find out why!

Here's a taste. The hero Xavier has come to stay at Ravensdale Manor, the heroine Zara family home which she has had to convert into a hotel to pay the bills. The garden is in a mess and Xavier has helped sort out the an ornamental garden bed (he's a celebrity gardener)

Excerpt:

Zara opened the French doors and walked across the lawn. The closer she came, the wider her eyes grew. The garden bed looked as if it could win gold in the Chelsea Flower Show. The tangle of weeds was now a mass of reds, yellows, creams and oranges, bordered by tiny blue flowers. Gorgeous. No wonder wealthy Americans flocked to Xavier’s landscape design business.

Her eyes strayed from Xavier’s handiwork to his muscled shoulders flexing under a white cotton shirt. She paused. The sweat-stained fabric gave extra definition to the glory that lay beneath. She grazed her teeth over her bottom lip. All that physical labour and an outdoor lifestyle had given Xavier the body of a god. Sculpted, tanned and hot. So unbelievably hot.

‘You just going to stand there, or come over for a proper look?’ Xavier called without looking up.

Her pulse spiked. God. Had he caught her gawking?

She strode forward as though she hadn’t been sprung ogling. ‘Xavier, this is incredible,’ she breathed.

He rocked back on his heels and threw her a killer smile. Her belly performed a little fluttery dance.

‘Not too bad for a couple of hours’ effort,’ he said, casting a critical eye over his work.

She moved to the far end of the garden to appreciate the splendour from another angle.

‘How did you do this?’ she asked.

‘Nothing a quick run to the local nursery couldn’t fix.’ Xavier’s brow creased. ‘But it’s not finished yet.’

‘What are you talking about?’ She bent down and smelled a gorgeous scarlet flower. ‘What else do you need to do? It’s perfect.’

‘Needs to be watered in and mulched. I’ll do it after lunch.’

He stood and pulled off his gardening gloves and dropped them on the grass. Stripping off his shirt, he wiped it across his sweat-glistening chest. She sucked in a quick breath. The physical nature of his job was evident in his perfectly defined muscles and golden skin.

‘I . . . I can water it,’ she said, trying to focus on the floral display and not his delicious body and the effect it was having on her own. ‘You’re supposed to be writing your book.’

‘You!’ he exclaimed, drawing his arm across his brow, giving her a beautiful view of taut muscle. She ran her tongue across her dry lips.

‘I want the garden to live,’ he quipped. ‘If you step any closer, these flowers will wilt with fright.’

Zara thrust her hands on her hips. ‘I’m not that bad.’

‘Oh no,’ he said with a laugh wrapped up with irony. ‘You just have that magic touch for turning everything green into a nice shade of brown.’

He flicked his finger down her nose. A teasing gesture from their childhood. His simple, intimate touch sent a quiver of delight through her veins. God, she’d missed him. Missed this. Having someone who knew her so well. Someone who knew her inadequacies and found them endearing. Someone who knew the dull pain of grief that never left.

‘Just because I couldn’t grow anything then doesn’t mean I’m a rubbish gardener now.’

‘Oh yes.’ He grinned. ‘I can see how well the place has fared under your gentle touch,’ he said, sweeping his hand around to encompass the almost derelict garden.

‘Hey.’ She slapped his arm. ‘I only took over managing this place six months ago when Dad had to go into care. It takes time and love to build something special.’

A spark of merriment flashed in his eyes. ‘Read that somewhere, did you?’

She swallowed. Oh God. She had. In his latest gardening volume. She couldn’t believe she’d quoted his lines back to him.

‘Ah . . .’

‘Chapter one, page ten of my latest book,’ he said, rubbing his temple in an exaggerated fashion. ‘If I’m not mistaken.’

* * * 

I really hope you enjoyed that little scene.  The Billionaire's Passionate Revenge is one sale on Tuesday, but you can pre-order now from Amazon, iTunes, Kobo and other good ebook stores.