Rae Stewart, whose mid-21st century sex houses for women have become a worldwide phenomenon, has a problem. His name is Lucas, and he is her second in command – among other things she’d rather not think about. His green-eyed potent appeal sits like a burr under her saddle especially when he tries to override her decision about a new hire, Josh Carter, who – she admits – violates all the House security protocols. She wants Josh anyway – he’s young, gorgeous, and carries exactly the kind of explosive masculine arrogance that House clientele adore.
Lucas Haverson also has a problem – how to keep Rae from endangering herself and her enterprise. He’s ready to walk away, leave Rae and their embattled relationship behind him. Forget his regular clients who depend on his intimate services and park his life in a remote cabin somewhere far away from this constant aggravation. Just a few more days and he’ll have the Homeland Security investigation he needs to expose young Carter for what he is – a terrorist.
But what if he’s not?
First in a four-book series, Salvation races into a future world where women’s sex houses offer unexpected pleasures. And unexpected dangers.
5 star reviews: “I loved every minute of it!” “Great Read! I enjoyed this book so much!” “Beautifully written!” “A very well crafted page turner!”
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EXCERPT:
A quiet tap hit the doorframe. “Lu? Can I come in?”
Rae. He hesitated a split second. He didn’t need this, whatever she was up to. He sighed, flipped on the light, and held the door open without a greeting. She grazed past his chest as she walked in, her unmistakable scent drifting behind her. Damn it. Whatever she was going to say, he already knew he wouldn’t like it.
Her hair was down, probably meaning she’d come as an afterthought. The loose caftan she wore didn’t define much of her body, but in his mind, he could see everything under it. Her full breasts. The curve of her waist and hip. Those fabulously long legs and the beautifully moist flesh between them.
Her gaze surveyed his bare chest as heat came into her eyes. Just that, and his goddamn cock sprang to attention. He pulled out a second chair at the table. “Whiskey?” He didn’t wait for a response but took another glass down from the cabinet, retrieved his from the sink, and poured a jot into both glasses.
“Long night,” he said, handing her the glass then easing into his chair.
“You look tired.”
“Thanks.”
“I don’t mean it like that, just, you know…” She took a sip and grimaced.
Nadine made repeated passes against Rae’s leg, reminding Lu that there was something about Rae the cat liked, even after all this time. Nadine never came out for other visitors.
“So…Deshawn tells me you’ve been down there talking about Josh Carter.”
“Yep.”
“Any particular reason?”
He stared at her. “As in, the security warning wasn’t enough?”
Her eyes blazed. “We already talked about this.”
“As a matter of fact, yes, we did.”
“And?” Her voice rose along with a pink flush in her cheeks.
“And?” His hands clenched, resisting the urge to haul her up against him and kiss her senseless. “And I felt it in the interest of the House and its personnel that your security chief beef up security until we’ve had enough time to see if this guy is as harmless as you think.”
“Well, I’d already asked Deshawn to do that so your efforts are redundant. And FYI, you’ll have a least a week to relax, because I’m leaving for Albuquerque in the morning. Frank thinks the contracts are in jeopardy because of the New Orleans incident,” she said, her eyes glittering defiantly. “He thought it would be good to meet personally with the buyers.”
“Sounds like a great little trip. What security is going?”
“None. I’m not stuffing security up my nose on this trip. I need a break.” She spun the glass then let it sit. “Maybe have a little fun. I’m taking Josh.”
He threw the rest of the whiskey down his throat and carefully set the glass on the table as her words washed through him. “Why is that Rae? Isn’t your life complicated enough? Do you truly not understand the risk?”
Predictably, her chin lifted, and he couldn’t help noticing fine lines creasing her throat. It wasn’t what he wanted to see. Maybe it was the fucking light making her look old. He’d never thought about her getting old. But shit, if he was feeling the tick of the clock, she had to be getting there, too. Her blue eyes shot fire as she stared at him. That was Rae, hot and ready to fight.
He had to admire her strength, even if she took stupid risks. Nobody needed that kid on this trip. Except Rae, of course. Rae and her unending need for conquest. Or whatever it was.
“What fucking risk?” She spread her hands on the table. “I’m satisfied he’s not a terrorist. Will you get over it? What’s he going to do?”
His temper boiled over. “What about everything else?” he shouted. “The new hit list. New Orleans. Does any of this add up for you?”
She slammed her glass down, splashing whiskey over her hand and onto the table. “Lu, I’m not here to get permission. I’m not going to be a fucking prisoner in my own house. The sons of bitches have no idea where I’ll be from one day to the next.”
She stood up with an angry jerk, stalked to the sink, and grabbed a paper towel. “I just need to get on the highway and watch the miles slip by. I need it, Lu.” She shoved the towel under the glass and cleaned the spill. She stood there with the crumpled towel in her hands, her body rigid in anger. “I have my gun. I know how to use it. Okay?”
“No!” He jumped up, knocking his chair over backwards as he stalked toward her. “Not okay. You’re being stupid. Stubborn. Why? Is it about fighting with me, like you have to have total control?”
“Ha! Only you would come up with that.” She leaned toward him, her face flushed. “It’s not about you, Lu. I know that’s a concept you might find difficult to understand. And I’m not Sara, okay?”
He felt the blood drain from his head. A roar started in his ears. “How dare you bring Sara into this?” His words came out strained.
“She’s always in it, Lu. You carry her around like some kind of fucking armor.”
“Really? Then what is this?”
He grabbed Rae’s arms, dragging her against him and crushing her lips under his as she squirmed to get away from him. “Did you forget about this? Is Sara in this?”
She cursed him, jerking her mouth away, but he took her again, his tongue pushing for an opening, forcing its way into her mouth. He stroked the velvet of her tongue in long slow thrusts.
He shuddered as his body responded to the feel of her soft breasts pressed against his chest. She softened, melding to his form. A quiet moan—his? Hers?
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