tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82126974009464831872024-03-10T14:13:39.748-05:00Inner GoddessInner Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171862566085690040noreply@blogger.comBlogger1768125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-30779483789108223112018-04-28T10:26:00.000-05:002018-04-28T10:26:45.989-05:00Blog Tour - Loving the Crown<strong><a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/LovingtheCrownBTBanner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-15261 size-large" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/LovingtheCrownBTBanner-1024x379.jpg" alt="" width="676" height="250" /></a></strong>
<strong><a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/Loving-the-Crown.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-15262 size-large" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/Loving-the-Crown-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="676" height="1014" /></a></strong>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Genre:</strong> Contemporary Royal Romance</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Release Date: 4.26.18</strong></span></p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39666117-surrender"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9427" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/GoodReads.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Synopsis.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9436" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Synopsis.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;">Gillian Bradshaw might be the princess of Hollywood,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But she’s never met royalty like me.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">One collision and we’re both hooked.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Only, dating an actress isn’t allowed in the House of Sauvage.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">She’s gorgeous, talented and brilliant.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I can’t let a woman like her out of my arms,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">No matter what the crown says.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But I’m up against the clock.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Gillian is headed back to the States as soon as her shoot wraps.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I can’t let her go that easily.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I’ve had my share of training in the Royal Navy, but I’m in the fight of my life to keep the woman I can’t live without.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This is one battle I’m not going to lose—even if I have to take on the king.</p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BuyNow.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9423" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BuyNow.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2HtFeaD">Amazon US</a> I </strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2r3nJDK"><strong>Amazon UK</strong></a></span></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BooksInTheSeries.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9421" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BooksInTheSeries.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2JwOuHJ">Tempting the Crown</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2r2PjjX">Risking the Crown<strong> </strong></a></span></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AboutTheAuthor.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9418" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AboutTheAuthor.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
USA Today Bestselling Author, Violet Paige, is a wine and coffee-loving mama who loves sports and writes about the delicious men on and off the field. When she's not writing, you can find her baking and spending time at the beach with her family. Open a book, raise the score and enjoy the men of Violet Paige.
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AuthorLinks.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9420" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AuthorLinks.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Violet-Paige/e/B01DFE21MM">Amazon</a> I <a href="https://www.violetpaigebooks.com">Website</a></span></p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-82529545601636818162018-04-13T00:30:00.000-05:002018-04-13T00:30:31.843-05:00A BABY FOR THE VIKING WOLF by Gwen Knight Blog Tour<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/ABabyfortheVikingWolfBTBanner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-15230 size-full" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/ABabyfortheVikingWolfBTBanner.jpg" alt="" width="1702" height="630" /></a>
<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/A-Baby-for-the-Viking-Wolf.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-15229 size-full" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/A-Baby-for-the-Viking-Wolf.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="1200" /></a>
<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Synopsis.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9436" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Synopsis.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><em>With great passion comes great responsibility...</em></span></p>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"> Lucy Tullet's entire world has imploded, thanks to the two soft pink lines staring back at her. As a professional party-girl, she never considered settling down and having kids. Until she meets the <em>blood wolf</em>—a renowned Viking vampire hunter with a mysterious past—and spends the night in his arms. Now, thanks to him, everything has changed. Not only are there vampires running amok in town, hunting Lucy and her unborn child, but the blood wolf has staked his claim, determined to both protect her and take her as his mate.</span>
<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BuyNow.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9423" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BuyNow.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>(Available on Kindle Unlimited)</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2GGeWS2">Amazon US</a> I <a href="https://amzn.to/2GHDiuM">Amazon UK</a><a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/A-Baby-for-the-Viking-Wolf-teaser.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-15228 size-large" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/A-Baby-for-the-Viking-Wolf-teaser-1024x499.jpg" alt="" width="676" height="329" /></a></span></p>
<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Excerpt.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9425" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Excerpt.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="border: 9px groove #800000; height: 400px; overflow: auto; width: 97%;">"Lucy," he repeated as he studied my face. "A lovely name for a lovely woman."I cleared my throat and stepped back, putting space between us. "Are you here as a bachelor then?"Bemusement tugged on his mouth. "I'm flattered. But no."
"So, if you aren't here as a bachelor, and you're not part of the European pack…" I let my sentence dangle with the hope that he'd answer my unspoken question. What other reason could there be for his presence? Unless…understanding dawned. "Are you here to bid on one of the bachelors?"
Surprise widened his dark eyes, and he choked back a laugh. "Uh, no. While I'm sure they're fine men, they're not the one I'm interested in."
Heat spread through my cheeks.
"Um. We'll just…be elsewhere," Bailey said. "Like, over there. Yeah, over there works."
"What?" Evelyn asked.
"Come on, dummy." Bailey grabbed Evelyn's arm and wrenched her toward the bar.
The blush spread down the back of my neck. Within five minutes, the entire pack would hear about this. Those two women were the absolute worse sort. Gossip was like air to them.
"So." I shot him another look, my tongue suddenly heavy in my mouth.
This was ridiculous. I wasn't the sort who gummed up in front of a man. I was the sort who took initiative, who dragged them out onto the dance floor for a good time, who used them, then ditched them the next morning. Yet, here I stood, nervously fiddling with my glass, my mouth drier than the desert. All because Mr. Europe was hotter than hell itself.
I cleared my throat and tried again. "What are you here for then?"
His brows furrowed. "I came to see someone. But they didn't show."
A woman someone? I wanted to ask. Except, the words died in my throat. "And you're really not part of the European pack?"
"No." He chuckled, the expression lighting up his face. I loved the sound of it, deep but gentle, as though he laughed a lot. "In fact, I only arrived in America this afternoon."
My lips parted. "Wow. You even managed to score a sweet tux, too. Impressive."
He bowed his head. "I aim to please."
"Did you come to America to meet this friend of yours?"
"I did. Guess that won't be happening tonight, though."
"And this friend…" Just ask! "A female friend?"
His smile broadened, flashing a pair of dimples. "No. Just an old friend. But he's not here, and you are. So, I call that a win."
I ducked my head, the bunnies in my stomach launching into full-blown butterflies. Damn it, stop playing coy! Reagan often called me a man-eater. Time to put up or shut up.
"Well then." I handed my empty glass to the next server who strode by and grabbed two fresh drinks, handing him one. "If you're not from the European pack, then I offer you my sincerest apology for the way I spoke to you earlier."
"That so?" His mouth ticked upward. "I'm honored. I get the impression you don't apologize often."
"I'm not often wrong," I said with a playful wink.
"Ah, beauty and brains, then?" Before I could respond, he plowed onward. "I take it you're here to bid on one of these fine gentlemen tonight?"
"Yup." Not that I wanted to anymore. The only devilishly handsome werewolf I wanted to play with was the one standing in front of me. "You sure you're not supposed to be up there?"
"Do you want me to be?"
Most definitely. I'd bid every last cent on him. Problem was, from the many hungry glances sliding his way, I wasn't the only one interested. And I wasn't known for sharing. After a moment's consideration, I shook my head. "No, you don't belong up there."
He clutched at his chest. "You wound me, madam!"
"It's for your protection, and everyone else's too. I wouldn't want to have to kill everyone who bid on you just to get what I want."
He stepped closer, his scent overwhelming my senses. "I'm intrigued. What is it you want?"
"You tell me," I murmured, my voice taking on a husky note.
His fingers brushed against mine, teasing, taunting…playing the game. I gave a slow blink and lifted my gaze to his, my mouth curling into a sensuous smile.
"I know what I want," he said.
"Do tell."
Without warning, he cupped the back of my head and brushed his lips against mine. Slowly at first, tasting what I had to offer. Teasing me with the promise of something more. I'd expected him to ravish my mouth, but instead, he took the time to seduce me. Heat spread through my body, and my damn knees buckled. His touch feathered against my bare back, eliciting a shiver unlike anything I'd ever experienced. My whole body attuned to his, and he'd done little more than offer a chaste brush of our lips.
We parted, my chest heaving beneath my dress. His gaze dipped to my plunging neckline, his eyes sparkling at the sight of my flushed skin.
"I have a room upstairs," he rasped.
Hallelujah. Because we sure as hell wouldn't make it back to my place.
"Only if you're interested."
I laughed. "You damn well know I'm interested."
"Now?"
Screw the auction. Gabriel had sent me to smooth over the press, and to donate money to a good cause. Neither of which I'd done. But I'd already won the night as far as I was concerned, without spending a single cent. I could easily donate the money without bidding.
I licked my lips, excitement dancing in my stomach. "Now," I murmured. "Right fucking now."
He flashed me a grin. "A woman after my own heart."
</div>
</div>
<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BooksInTheSeries.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9421" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BooksInTheSeries.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>My Viking Wolf </strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>(Available on Kindle Unlimited)</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2GHTFUc">Amazon US</a> I<a href="https://amzn.to/2uXoJO5"> Amazon UK</a></span><strong><a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AboutTheAuthor.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9418" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AboutTheAuthor.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gwen Knight is a Canadian girl currently living in Jasper, AB. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a degree in Archaeology and Geography. Her interests consist of playing in the dirt, designing elaborate snow forts, boating, and archery. </span></p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-43149391238313982942018-04-10T20:35:00.000-05:002018-04-10T20:36:54.222-05:00A BABY FOR THE VIKING WOLF by Gwen Knight<strong><a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/ABabyfortheVikingWolfRDLBanner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-15225 size-full" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/ABabyfortheVikingWolfRDLBanner.jpg" alt="" width="1702" height="630" /></a></strong>
<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/A-Baby-for-the-Viking-Wolf.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-15229 size-full" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/A-Baby-for-the-Viking-Wolf.jpg" alt="" width="80" height="120" /></a>
<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Synopsis.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9436" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Synopsis.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><em>With great passion comes great responsibility...</em></span></p>
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"> Lucy Tullet's entire world has imploded, thanks to the two soft pink lines staring back at her. As a professional party-girl, she never considered settling down and having kids. Until she meets the <em>blood wolf</em>—a renowned Viking vampire hunter with a mysterious past—and spends the night in his arms. Now, thanks to him, everything has changed. Not only are there vampires running amok in town, hunting Lucy and her unborn child, but the blood wolf has staked his claim, determined to both protect her and take her as his mate.</span>
<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BuyNow.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9423" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BuyNow.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>(Available on Kindle Unlimited)</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2GGeWS2">Amazon US</a> I <a href="https://amzn.to/2GHDiuM">Amazon UK</a></span><a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/A-Baby-for-the-Viking-Wolf-Teaser-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-15227 size-large" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2018/04/A-Baby-for-the-Viking-Wolf-Teaser-3-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="676" height="507" /></a></p>
<a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BooksInTheSeries.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9421" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/BooksInTheSeries.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>My Viking Wolf </strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>(Available on Kindle Unlimited)</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2GHTFUc">Amazon US</a> I<a href="https://amzn.to/2uXoJO5"> Amazon UK</a></span><strong><a href="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AboutTheAuthor.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9418" src="http://onceuponanalpha.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AboutTheAuthor.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gwen Knight is a Canadian girl currently living in Jasper, AB. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a degree in Archaeology and Geography. Her interests consist of playing in the dirt, designing elaborate snow forts, boating, and archery. </span></p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-54362309053641246392018-02-11T19:41:00.000-06:002018-02-11T20:48:24.198-06:00Cupid's Broken Arrow - special Valentines storyWe featured this story last year in pieces over several days but it is so much fun that we wanted to give everyone another chance at this fun story!<br />
<br />
Remember that this is an ADULT story - featuring adult themes and content. In other words, not work or kid friendly but your significant other will thank you!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoy</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr6goACJyZySK0_FAyHPRRij40GRjGKk5y4nB0UYLla6GU2icgzcfozAiGqQ4bLs53oCtMDBJGjkuQIgLkDRsSchNasFiTKdNRpxRwGg6Qzp9y7KFsOpN3p8Zsc2uNMqD2ATL9pKLcVY/s1600/12626107_448872051972434_1599195055_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="565" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr6goACJyZySK0_FAyHPRRij40GRjGKk5y4nB0UYLla6GU2icgzcfozAiGqQ4bLs53oCtMDBJGjkuQIgLkDRsSchNasFiTKdNRpxRwGg6Qzp9y7KFsOpN3p8Zsc2uNMqD2ATL9pKLcVY/s640/12626107_448872051972434_1599195055_n.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Chapter One</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By </span><a href="http://elainebarris.weebly.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Elaine Barris</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-5c53ce63-87a2-ea73-dccb-0ca8ae00cb7c" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Come on, baby! Give it to me!” The woman between Eros’ legs urged as she worked his cock </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with her hands and mouth. Her head bobbed up and down as she licked him over from his base </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to the tip. Popping his head out of her mouth, she slapped it against her lips. “Come on, Cupid! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Get so thick and hard for me you split me in two! It’s been so long!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Cupid.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Whatever beginnings of an erection he had, softened to nothing as the visions of fat, curly-haired </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cherubs floated through his mind.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“That’s it. Stop. Just stop!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“But why?” she replied, not yet giving up on the chance to have sex with him again. “So, it’s</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> taking you a little longer. I don’t mind. You know how much I love giving head, especially to you.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Grasping her by her shoulders, he forced her away from him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You need to go, Ophelia.” he threw his fingers through his hair, stood, and let his wings stretch </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">out behind his back. “I told you not to call me by that name. I never should have told you what </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">happened.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I’m sorry! It was a slip-up!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Get out.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">After she dressed, Eros slammed the door behind her retreating figure, the latest woman he had </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">tried to bed, unsuccessfully.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Her body was thick and luscious, her tits overflowing his palms. She was everything he could </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">have asked for in a lay. To her credit, she’d tried using her entire erotic arsenal to raise his cock </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to standing. It had been a wasted effort with his dick a limp, useless thing, lying against his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">stomach as she had done her best to get him hard.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He’d lost count of the number of times over the past few weeks that he hadn’t been able get it up, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and he’d called the last fuck-buddy in his roster to make another attempt to get over whatever </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sex slump he was in. None of the others had been able to get him hard, but he was sure Ophelia </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">would have the tricks to get his dick to respond.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What in Zeus’ name is fucking wrong with you?” he yelled as he looked down in disdain at his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">unresponsive cock in his hand. Shaking his dick in frustration, he went on speaking to it, “I’m </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the god of fornication, not that chubby baby singing stupid love songs! I never should have left </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Olympus! Never should have gone to that card shop! Why did I listen to that drunkard, Bacchus?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A month or so prior, Eros had attended another one of his friend’s wine filled parties. Barely clad </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">or entirely naked nymphs had been running through the woods, their breasts bouncing as the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">males ran after them.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Deciding to give chase himself, he spied the beauty nearest to him, and took off after her. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Moments later, he’d caught her in his arms, and then, laid her down on the ground as his cock </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hardened in anticipation of being inside her tight heat.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What’s your name, lovely?” he’d asked, as he balanced the weight of his upper body over her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">while grinding the lower against her wetness. “What should I call you while I’m fucking your </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sweet pussy?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Does it matter?” she’d laughed, reaching for the stiffness between his legs. After pushing his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">clothing aside to free him, she’d wrapped her fingers around his girth, and begun stroking him </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with lengthy pulls of her hand up and down. “I know who you are, and your reputation, Eros. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">You’ll forget my name the minute you come.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Maybe not.” he ran his nose against the length of her neck. “You could be the one that changes </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">me forever.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Silver tongued liar is what you are, Eros.” She’d smiled up at him as she trailed a finger of her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">other hand down his face. “I still want you though.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Reaching down, he had lined himself up to her core, and eased his crown inside of her with a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">satisfied groan of pleasure.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Ohhhh!” she’d cried out, and wrapped her legs around his waist.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As Eros was thrusting in and out of the writhing nymph, a stumbling Bacchus had crashed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">through the bushes towards them.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Eros? Where are you?” he’d thundered, closing in on the couple’s moment of intimacy. “Nobody </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">knows that fucking name anymore, dude!” Bacchus was listing from side to side as he couldn’t </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">stand straight as wasted as he was. Wine had sloshed out of his chalice as he’d thrown his arm </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">out towards Eros. “You’re ‘Cupid’ to them all now!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What are you blathering about? Can’t you see I’m busy here?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Go down to Earth. You’ll see what they’ve done to you. Fucking shame, man.” He slumped </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">against a tree, and slid down it, dropping in a heavy thud on the dirt. “You used to be the shit. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Not anymore.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The lithe and willing body underneath Eros was as forgotten as she had said she would be, and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">he hadn’t even finished fucking her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What the hell are you talking about, Bacchus?” Eros withdrew from her, stood, and helped the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">nymph to her feet.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He smacked her on her ass, and then she ran off to join the orgy in the center of the forest. The </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sounds of voices raised in need and screams of blissful release filtered through the air to his ears, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">but he had no interest any longer.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Walking over to where his friend had passed out, Eros kicked Bacchus’ foot to waken him, “I </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">asked you a question!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The only response he’d received was a loud snore.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That night, he’d done what Bacchus had said to do, and left Olympus to mingle amongst the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">lesser beings.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Hiding his wings, and disguising himself to blend with the humans, he’d arrived at one of the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">larger cities, easily casting himself in step with the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Stopping in front of a store window, his eyes widened as he’d seen what had to be a depiction of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">himself. Disbelief had washed over him, as his eyes had fallen on a smiling child with a quiver at </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his back, readying an arrow with a red heart on the end of it for launch.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The front of the parchment read, “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Love is in the air! Cupid’s arrow is aimed at you!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What the?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Incredulous, he’d entered the shop, and begun perusing the cards stocked for an upcoming </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">holiday, seemingly dedicated to human love and affection.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">After grabbing one up, he’d snapped it with a flick of his finger. There was no mistaking the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">commonalities between him and the illustration in his hands.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“That isn’t me at all! I’m a full grown man, not a child! Look at me! I’m an erotic, sex god!” he’d </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">shouted, getting the attention of the women and men on either side of him. Pointing at the myriad</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cards and balloons displaying how the humans perceived him in this era, he’d raised his voice </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">even louder. “What have you people done? You’ve castrated me!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A man wearing a uniform had approached from behind and slapped a hand on Eros’ shoulder.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“But!” Eros had protested, whipped off his glasses and hat, and tossed them down onto the floor.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> “Don’t you see these abominations? Don’t you know who I am? I’m Eros!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Yes, Sir. I see the Valentine’s Day cards. I’m going to call some people to come help you, Eric.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What?” he had exclaimed, and the people around took steps away from him, mumbling to each </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">other about the ramblings of an insane man. “What the hell is ‘Valentine’s Day’?” He’d screeched </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">as the security guard pushed him through the exit and out the door.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Pacing back and forth in front of the entrance, chewing on his nails and glancing wildly about at </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the humanity that had betrayed him, Eros had taken flight back home once the police and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ambulance had arrived.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Upon entering his bedroom, he’d gone to his treasured arrows. Clasping them in his hands, his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">grip had been so intense, the metal had wilted and withered, bending in half. The tip bowed down </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in a maddening similarity to his unresponsive cock.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Chapter Two</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By </span><a href="http://www.laurieolerich.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Laurie Olerich</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa Lovejoy smothered a groan and dragged a flat pillow over her head in an effort to drown out</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the shrieking coming through the wall behind the sad excuse for a bed she had woken up on this </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">morning. Squinting into the foggy dimness, she tried to focus on the red numbers glowing on the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">clock radio. Was it really only 4:00? She eased onto her stomach and tried to calm the strange </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">roiling sensation. Whatever was the matter now? Before she could fall back asleep, she broke into </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a sudden cold sweat and only just managed to hang her head over the bed before everything she’d </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">drunk came back up and out in a horrifying display of human frailty.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Oh, fabulous. Now, even her stomach thought it was human. Curling her nose in disgust, she </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">swung her legs off of the bed and lurched to the bathroom. Weaving side to side, bouncing from </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">one wall to the other, she finally managed to squeeze into the shower to stand under the weak, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cold stream until her head cleared and her stomach settled. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Damn that bitch goddess, Fortuna!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Exactly four weeks earlier, she’d been blissfully going about her life as a minor Vestal Virgin </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">working in the service of the gentle goddess, Vesta. Born into the job, Tessa had never questioned </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her position as a very, very, very minor goddess in the complicated hierarchy of Roman deities. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Life was good. She’d had no complaints about maintaining the temple or seeing to the simple </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">needs of the goddess of hearth and home. She’d been content. Remaining a virgin seemed a small </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sacrifice for the comfortable life she lived. That was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">before</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> she’d been invited to one of Bacchus’ </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">famous parties. Her two good friends, Justina and Ophelia, talked her into going.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It’ll be fun, they said. What could go wrong, they said. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That night, the sky had sparkled with magical stars; the warm breeze drifted through the forest </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">clearing, ruffling leaves and gently lifting her blond hair as she stood awkwardly in the shadows. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">What was she thinking? She was a VV -- not some trampy wood nymph! Remaining a virgin was </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the number one job requirement! This was a bad idea. Swinging her gaze left and right, she eased </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">back a few more feet, hiding behind the trunk of a massive tree. Five more minutes and she would </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">slip away. Justina and Ophelia were giggling with a couple of young gods. They wouldn’t notice </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">by then.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Flute music tinkled as the party got underway. All around her, gods, goddesses and everything </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in between were paired off or joined in groups. Torchlight glimmered off of naked backs as more </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and more wine flowed and inhibitions vanished. The delighted cries of wood nymphs getting </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">pleasured a few feet away brought an uncomfortable tightness to her belly and made her tingly </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and needy for something she didn’t quite understand. Shifting position, she nearly gasped as a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wave of dizziness washed over her. Her breasts ached. Her pussy tingled. Oh, she should leave. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This wasn’t her place. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Why so sad, luscious girl?” The husky words came from just above her ear, followed by the wet </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">heat of a tongue trailing down the side of her throat. The unfamiliar touch sent a jolt of desire </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">straight to her core. Two hard arms wrapped around her, palms cupping her breasts through her </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">thin gown, fingers tightening over her straining nipples. “The party’s just getting started. Have </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">some wine. It’ll make you happy.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“No, thank you. I really need to leave.” Stiffening against his hold, she tried to jerk out of the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">stranger’s grasp, but he only chuckled and held her back to his chest with one hand while the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">other conjured a goblet of wine and handed it to her. Oh, goddess, he was naked. Gloriously </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">naked. She felt every inch of his skin along her back and butt. His cock thickened to press </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">between her cheeks as he smoothly wrapped her fingers around the cup.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">One last little instinct screamed urgently to move away, but his hot breath dancing over the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">nape of her neck felt too good. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Shut up, instinct!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> What could go wrong?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“That’s right, love. Drink the wine and we’ll go play for a while,” he murmured as he tipped the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cup to her mouth. “I’ll rock your world, baby.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">After she finished it, he snapped his fingers and the cup vanished. Turning her to his chest, his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">lips curled into a sexy grin and she lost all desire to go.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Eros.” His name came as a gasp as she drank him in. Surely she must be dreaming? </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gleaming muscles; golden skin; beautiful... His shining green eyes all but hypnotized her while </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his clever hands drew her into his arms for a kiss that probably stopped time. Growling low in </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his throat, he cupped her jaw, taking control of her mouth until she was fairly panting with </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">desire. The god could kiss! His tongue tasted of wine as it danced with hers, coaxing her to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">respond even as his fingers stroked her clit until she was grinding against his hand like one of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">those horny nymphs she’d watched earlier. Good goddess! That animal groan couldn’t be coming </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">from her! Her face was surely on fire, but he stopped her from moving away by plunging two </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fingers deep inside. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“That’s it, baby, fuck my fingers. Let yourself go.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dropping his mouth to her bare breasts, he nipped and sucked at her nipples until her eyes rolled </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">back in her head. Holy, holy, holy sh-- She’d lost her ability to think at all as he spread her thighs </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and stroked the head of his cock along her drenched pussy. In a heartbeat, her gown was gone, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her legs were wrapped around his waist, and she was begging for more. Ten minutes later, her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">virginity was a memory and so was he.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Fucking Eros! This is all your fault, you dick! I hope you’re suffering as much as I am!” Tessa </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">shoved her feet into boots and jammed her arms into a heavy coat. Her stomach needed food.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Just another human inconvenience she had to endure. Food, water, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">toilets</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">... How did humans </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">stand being, well, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">human</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">? As a goddess, she hadn’t needed any of these things. She could drink </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">gallons</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> of wine and not be sick. Apparently, humans got sick when they drank too much wine. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Yay... Yet another reason to hate Eros. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Living as a destitute human was a small price to pay to get even with that lousy God of Love. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Exile wasn’t great, but at least Eros would get what was coming to him. Vesta had lost her damn </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">mind when Tessa entered the temple sans her hymen. Yeah... That hadn’t gone well. Not. At. All. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The screaming was probably heard on Jupiter. Long story short? She’d been cast out of the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">temple and stripped of her privileges. To add insult to injury, Eros hadn’t even remembered her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">when she turned up on his doorstep. Asshole. Soooo, she did what all scorned females do. She </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">plotted revenge. With the help of the Goddess Fortuna, she had a plan.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Chapter 3</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By </span><a href="http://www.elleboon.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Elle Boon</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What the hell do you mean there is no love in the air?” Eros asked, running his hand down his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">face.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Bacchus stared at him like he’d grown two heads. “Dude, since you all but stopped fucking your </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">way through all the single goddesses, there’s been a major shift on Earth.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros narrowed his eyes. “And that’s my concern how? Did you see what they depict me as?” He </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">slapped himself in the side of the head. “Of course you did. You’re the one who pointed it out to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">me. Serves them right. If they gave me the respect I deserve, then I’d shoot an arrow at some of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">heir asses. But,” he held up his hand, “not in a fucking diaper.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His friend doubled over in laughter, making Eros think about shooting him with an arrow--and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">not a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">love</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> one. When it seemed Bacchus wasn’t going to stop laughing, he stepped around him, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">shoving him a little harder than necessary.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Seriously, you are even harshing my mojo.” Bacchus wiped his eyes, mirth still sparking in them.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros raised his left brow. “Are you having problems getting it up?” He wasn’t going to tell his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">buddy that was his issue; the man would probably run a full page ad in the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gods Tribune. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Nope, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">not if he had breath in his body.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Just take a look at some of the headlines. You knew we would lose some of our powers if the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">humans didn’t believe in us.” Humor faded from Bacchus’s voice as he waved his hand. A giant </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">screen appeared, showing what seemed to be human news.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He’d never really paid much attention to the lesser beings--not that he hadn’t fucked a few </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">thousand, give or take a few hundred--but their problems weren’t his to be bothered with.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Headline after headline showed couple after couple breaking up or heading for divorce. Eros </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">swiped his hand in the air, making the pictures go faster, hoping there was an end. It was like </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">an epidemic had struck. A lovesick potion or some shit.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“How, exactly, does this have something to do with me?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Again, Bacchus showed him another image. Eros squinted at the vision of the woman, but other </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">than her being a beauty, he had no idea who she was, or why he felt so drawn to her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Like he was talking to a child, Bacchus shook his head. “You, my friend, need to fix this, and you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">can’t do it from up here. Go to earth, and do your thing. Fuck some women, or men, or whatever, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">but make it right. Bring back the love, or I’m afraid none of us are going to be getting any.” With </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">those parting words, Bacchus disappeared as quickly as he came.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The image of the beautiful woman flashed into his mind. “Fuck,” he growled.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He flashed to the city where he’d seen the woman staring at the store front that had been decorated </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with hearts of varying sizes. The display had been torn down and replaced with an obscene theme </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of black and grey tombstones with hearts stabbed through. Eros didn’t even want to know the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">person who took the time to shove all those hearts into the cherub’s ass. His own clenched in </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">response.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Excuse me, do you have a dollar?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros jolted at the raspy female voice. Looking down, he saw a short older woman pushing a cart </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">filled with what looked like her entire life. His heart ached at the humanity. Being a god, he </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wanted to wave his hand and take away all her problems, but as he stared around him, he noticed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the dregs of humanity roamed all around. While he pondered life, it seemed the little human got </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">tired of waiting on him and continued past, mumbling about good looking men with small penises. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros smiled in spite of himself.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“First order of business is finding a place to stay. Second is shooting some love arrows,” he </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">muttered.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You might want to check into an institute as your first order of business.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His dick, which had been on a hiatus since the party at Bacchus’, chose that moment to wake up. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eyes as blue as the clearest sky stared up at him from what had to be one of the most beautiful </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">creatures on heaven and earth. Her bow-shaped mouth was meant for sin, and the luscious </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">curves encased in drab clothing shouldn’t be making him fantasize about getting her naked. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His body didn’t seem to care that she wasn’t dressed for seduction.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Fingers snapping in his face brought his mind out of the gutter. “Did you hear a word I just said?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">she asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Honestly?” He shook his head. “I don’t need to check into anything except a hotel. Can you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">point me in the right direction?” He didn’t need her help, unless it was inside her, then he most </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">definitely needed her for that.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She looked him up and down. “I’d say you’re more of an uptown boy than a downtown one.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Visions of going downtown on her filled his head. He couldn’t help the smile that spread across </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his face. The resulting red stain on the beauty’s cheeks gave him hope since his dick hadn’t </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">deflated yet. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“Are you busy tonight?” He changed the subject, watching her like a predator. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">His bow and arrows vibrated on his back. It took monumental effort not to reach behind and make </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">sure they were still invisible to the humans.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Her eyes narrowed. “Are you asking me out on a date?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Rocking back on his heels, he stared at her incredulous face. “Yes.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Let’s get you settled into a hotel, and then we’ll discuss a possible date. Maybe coffee or something.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Fair enough. What’s your name, sweetheart?” Eros pressed his hand to the woman’s back, steering </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her around a group of arguing couples. The situation seemed to be worse than he’d thought. He </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wasn’t sure what he needed to do, but he agreed it needed to be done quickly.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Tessa, my name is Tessa.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What a lovely name, Tessa. I’m Eric.” If he was to walk around and tell people his real name, he </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">was sure he’d get strange looks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Once he’d secured a room and a meeting time at the little coffee bar next to the hotel with the lovely </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa, Eros couldn’t wait for their date. The last time he’d been this excited to meet a female…well, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">he actually couldn’t remember, but he was sure it was epic.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dressing with care, he checked his watch and decided it was close enough to the hour. He made his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">way across the lobby. As soon as he entered, he spotted Tessa. She was dressed in an outfit that would </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">turn any man’s head. The skintight red ensemble hugged every curve and displayed her breasts to</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> perfection. His mouth watered at the thought of peeling it off. “Mind out of gutter or you’ll scare </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her off,” he muttered. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“Excuse me. Are you talking to me?” A man who looked like he’d definitely</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">ate his Wheaties glared at him. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“Nope, I was talking to myself.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The big man took a step back. As if scared whatever crazy Eros was would rub off on him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He made his way over to where Tessa stood. She looked a little afraid, which was the last thing he </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wanted from her. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa snorted. “Does that usually work with your other women?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Well, actually, I can’t remember. But I can promise they all would pale in comparison to you.” He </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">grabbed both of her hands and held them out to their sides, whistling. “Why would you hide this </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">body under those drab clothes from earlier?” He kept the shudder from wracking him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">They found a table in the corner after ordering what Tessa described as liquid gold in a cup. Eros </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">didn’t understand the humans’ need for the brew but had to concede the smell was delicious. His </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">first taste made him sigh in pleasure. “This is delicious.” He drank more, watching his date sip at </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">her cup.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“How about you show me your hotel r oom?” Long lashes blinked innocently over the rim </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">of her mug. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Eros couldn’t think of a reason to say no, nodding and standing in one motion. Commotion </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">near the entrance, accompanied by angry shouts had him stepping in front of Tessa. “Stay here.” He </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">strode toward the front, finding the man he’d spoken with earlier holding a smaller man by the throat, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">with a young woman hanging onto his arm. In his long life, and being a wise man, he was able to put </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">two and one together, coming up with a love triangle. Silly humans.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I swear, Jake, she and I are just friends. I was only helping her with her homework.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Then why were you sitting so close to her, touching her arm like you had the right?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A female growl came from the woman jerking on his arm. “Because he was pointing out the answer on </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the computer, then showing me how I did it wrong on my paper. God, you are such a dummy.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Yeah, which is why you’re banging this guy.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Before the poor guy turned another shade of red, Eros stepped in between them. He could see the love </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the young woman had for the big burly dude, even if he was being an ass. With a sleight of hand, he let </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his power flow from one of his arrows, reinforcing the love the man had for his woman. Instantly he </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">dropped the other man who scrambled away. A sweep of love emotion filled the coffeehouse, filling </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">him with more power. He turned to see several couples kissing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">With a shrug of his shoulders he went back to the table and held his hand out. “Where were we?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She placed her smaller one in his. “You were gonna show me what you got.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His dick pressed against his slacks, agreeing wholeheartedly.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Outside he saw the homeless woman again and felt guilty for not giving her money. He took a step </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">toward her, but the blaring of a horn stopped him from being run over by a city bus. Eros looked </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">across the street, thinking he’d take her some when the traffic cleared, but was shocked to find the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">spot the woman had been standing empty. Turning his head back and forth, he could find no sign.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He swept Tessa under his arm and guided them back toward his hotel suite. Inside the elevator her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">scent tickled his nose; a memory of a nymph popped into his mind.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Can I get you a drink?” He asked, opening the fridge, turning to see Tessa standing in a red lace bra </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and panty. “Fuck,” he swore.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa shivered, trying to hide the fact she was freaked the heck out. She was in a hotel room with Eros, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the god who had caused her complete world breakdown, yet she wanted…no, she did not want him. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This was all part of the plan.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Her plan flew out the window as he stalked toward her, his hot gaze roaming over her from head to toe. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It felt like a physical caress, and then his warm palm was touching her shoulder, his lips brushed hers, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and Tessa forgot everything except Eros.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Oh, God, you taste like sunshine and rainbows.” Eros tongue licked over her lips, coaxing between. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa moaned into the warm wet caress. Hands sliding over her flesh lit up nerve endings she didn’t </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">know she had.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Her own palms took a leisurely path, slipping the buttons of his shirt free, needing to feel the man </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">beneath. Jerking at the ends to free them from the pants, she fumbled with the belt buckle until at last,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">it too was open, and then her fingers were holding all that male hardness. Goddess, she wasn’t sure how </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that had fit inside her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Just like that. Squeeze a little harder,” Eros groaned.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Cool air brushed her breasts, hardening her nipples. Eros’ head bent, taking one peak into his warm </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wet mouth. Tessa reached for something to hold onto other than the dick in her hand as her knees </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wobbled. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">The world spun, and then cool cotton brushed her back. The handsome devil loomed over </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">her, completely naked. He stared at her; a frown pulled at his features. She tugged to bring him back </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">down to her. His lips began tracing a path down her body, paying homage to each breast, over her </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">tummy and then his wide shoulders were pushing her legs apart. The tiny red thong was no barrier </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">for his hot breath. Her eyes squeezed shut then snapped open at the feel of him ripping the last article </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">of clothing from her body.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Fucking amazing. You smell like everything I have ever wanted only didn’t know I wanted.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros licked around the part of her that throbbed, sending sparks of electricity through her. Two large </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fingers spread her open, making her acutely aware of the vulnerable position she was in, and then she </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">was lost to feeling. He licked and sucked, bringing her to a quick hard orgasm she swore curled her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">toes. The lights in the hotel flickered, followed by a screeching alarm. Tessa froze, reality hitting her. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She was under the one man who she shouldn’t be, ready to give herself to him again, forgetting all </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">about her revenge.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Water hit her, soaking her and Eros who tried to scramble up. “What the hell?” Eros tossed a blanket </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">over Tessa.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The untimely, or timely drenching was like a bucket of ice water on her. Tessa scrambled off the side of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the bed, looking for her red dress. A pounding on the door startled them both.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Hotel security.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros jerked his slacks on and strode toward the door. Tessa made sure she was hidden when he cracked </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the door open. “We need everyone to exit the building until we make sure the fire is contained and are </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">clearing the upper levels first. You’ll need to take the stairs, and I suggest you take your identification, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">just in case.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa stepped around both men, hurrying for the steps with the blinking EXIT sign. She heard her name </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">being yelled from behind but kept going. No way in heck was she going back there, or letting him </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">anywhere near her until she had her armor back on. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Chapter 4</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By </span><a href="https://rileybancroft.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Riley Bancroft</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">For a split second, Eros stood in the doorway of his hotel room and forgot about the hotel </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">evacuation. He gazed at his hardened cock bulging under his slacks. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Magnificent. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa accomplished what no other female could over the past month. On top of everything else, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">she tasted better than the sweetest ambrosia. She reminded him of something, something like </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">virtuosity surrounding the aura of heavens. Her voluptuous curves, in all the right places, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">tempted his sexual desires back to life like a roaring bonfire. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Pride swelled his chest and emanated outward. For the first time in a month, Eros was hard as </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a rock. He needed to fuck her…and soon. Power vibrated, tingling the air against his back. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Tessa!” he yelled after her as the crash of shattering glass echoed behind him. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros spun in time to see his mystical love arrows break free of their bond and shoot out of the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">now opened window—almost as if they had a mind of their own. In disbelief, he scooped up his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">empty quiver and took off running down the hallway with the other hotel guests toward the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">EXIT sign. “Tessa!” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Not only did he have to hunt her down, he needed to get back control of his damn arrows. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">In the thousands of years he’d been the God of Love, never once had he lost an arrow, much less </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">have them take on power of their own. Nothing was going according to plan. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sprinting into the stairwell, he caught a glimpse of a beautiful blonde in a red dress go around t</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">he corner below. He wasted no time to catch up to her and latched an arm around her waist.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Over the sirens of the fire alarm, he yelled, “I got you, sweetheart. I’ll make sure nothing happens </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to you.” Being a god had its perks after all. He could fly her through a fire and to safety should </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the need arise. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She jerked out of his hold by speeding up her steps. “Don’t, Eros.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His dick jerked at the way she’d said his name and the movement painfully strained his loaded </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">balls. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Wait a minute</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. It had nothing to do with the venom or bite in her tone. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She called him </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Come again, love?” he asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Balling her little hands into fists she stopped and turned to face him. A righteous anger replaced </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her previous angelic expressions as heat radiated from her. “I am not your sweetheart nor your </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">love.” She pursued him as people pushed around them to flee the stairwell. “You ruined my life, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and because of you, I’m stuck on this earthly plane to live the rest of my life like these sodden </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">humans!” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Her feistiness only made him want to fuck her more—to fuck it right out of her and make her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cum while milking his cock. He stood his ground as they stood toe to toe, not backing away from </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the little minx who only a few minutes ago writhed underneath him like a wanton nymph. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Nymph? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The truth socked him in the gut. Oh, he’d fucked her sweet pussy alright. The last female </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">he entered was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“That’s how you know my name.” Glimpses of his memory flashed back to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">that night. The night Bacchus told him to come to earth and laughed at him while he pounded </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">the most exquisitely tight nymph. The night he wasn’t able to get hard from thereafter. “What </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">were you doing at Bacchus’ party that night?” He narrowed his eyes. “You did something to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">You broke my cock!” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Her jaw dropped and she scoffed at him. “I did no such thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">You’re the one who got me drunk and took my chastity. Because of you I was kicked out of the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">temple and now a mortal thank you very much.” She glanced down at his crotch. “And by the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">looks of it, your cock doesn’t look broken, you manwhore.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Temple? But you’re a nymph. Nymphs live in the mountains near lakes and streams.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a Vestal Virgin. How dare you compare me to all the nymphs out there? Perhaps if you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">were interested in anything else but fornication the world wouldn’t be in such a state of downfall </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">concerning love.” She cleared her throat. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A virgin? No wonder he savored sex with her more than any other female. On top of it, she was </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">one of Vestas’ maiden’s. A maiden he deflowered—and probably why his dick stayed limp for </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">almost a month. Everything else aside though, he needed Tessa and as the God of Love he needed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to make it right—not because she revived his dick. He needed to be reminded what love was all </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">about. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros cupped her face, gazing into her crystal clear blue eyes. “I’m sorry. I would never have taken </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">advantage of you had I known the truth. You are a treasure to behold and I’m honored to have </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">witnessed your amazing grace and beauty.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Her mouth trembled and she nibbled on the corner of her lower lip. Moisture seeped into her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">eyes. “No. You don’t get to appreciate me after my world’s been ripped away from me.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Then let me make it right.” His lips descended on hers and he licked her lips, begging for </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">entrance with his tongue. “You have no idea how much you enchant me.” His dick strained in </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his pants. The way he wanted to drive into her tight heat made his balls tighten more as he </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">entered her warm, wet mouth. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa rocked her hips against him, teasing his already amped up body, mimicking sex as she </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ground against him. He needed inside of her and quick. Reaching between their bodies he </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">unbuttoned his pants then unzipped them to release his throbbing dick. He hiked her dress </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">up in front and pulled her panties aside until the tip of his head kissed her sweet pussy. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Let me make you mine,” he nuzzled against her lips.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She pulled away from him, covering her mouth and coughed before she inhaled a deep breath. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“No. I will never be yours.” She yanked her dress back down. “That is the penance you will pay.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You will </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">be mine</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Ha! That’s something </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Cupid</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> says.” Her haughty tone matched the cockiness on her face. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The defiance she displayed with her taunt boiled deep into his veins. “I will have you. Make no </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">mistake and watch your tongue.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Her chest rose and fell and she sucked in air and coughed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“You will rue,” another cough, “the day you ruined me and forgot who,” cough, “I was.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As she collapsed, he caught her in his arms and cradled her. The stairwell had filled with smoke </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">during their argument. And now being human, she wasn’t immune to the effects of mortal </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ailments. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">He made sure to tuck his cock into his pants and fastened them while he flew down </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">the flights of stairs with her in his hold. He’d been so caught up in the moment he forgot about </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">the fire. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Finally on the first level he burst through the exit door with her. Sirens, red and blue </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">lights, people rushed around frantically. He needed to find a paramedic to revive her. Once he </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">spotted an ambulance he raced on foot toward the vehicle to get Tessa aide. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“She passed out from smoke inhalation,” he yelled at a male medic. Each slap of his feet on the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">pavement reminded him how delicate and precious the cargo in his arms was to him. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The world seemed to stop for a moment when the paramedic was brushed by one of Eros’ </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">mystical arrows. The male turned to a female nearby…and they started to make out.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What the fuck?” Eros glanced around the street and his jaw dropped. His arrows zipped </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">through the air, tagging people as they zipped by. Every time they came in contact with a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">mortal…the person turned to the nearest one who’d also been struck…and they were all </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">going at it. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">A scene, eerily similar to the one in the forest during Bacchus’ party, unfolded </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">before his eyes. The normal world had turned into an orgy as men and women alike chased </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">after one another shredding their clothes. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Bacchus appeared on the street. He laughed while sloshing around his wine filled chalice. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Well, looks like you’ve finally found a way to get love in the air.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Chapter 5</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By </span><a href="http://isobellecate.weebly.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Isobelle Cate</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Tessa…Tessa. Wake up, love.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa moaned, her head moving from side to side as she surfaced to consciousness. She coughed, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">dreading the thought of breathing in more smoke, but her lungs screamed for oxygen. She heaved</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a breath even as her throat constricted to insulate her lungs from more smoke. Relief washed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">over her as clean air entered her lungs even though swallowing made her throat itch. She hated </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the dryness at the back of her throat and longed for the cool waters she missed that came from </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the waterfalls that fed Vesta’s temple. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She opened her eyes, blinking several times and surprised to see the dark sky above. The last </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">thing she remembered was Eros seducing her in the midst of a burning building and smoke </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">surrounding them. It sure as Hades weren’t the flames of passion that licked them or the mists </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of arousal that covered them from would be voyeurs. Why in Zeus’ name did Eros decide to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">remind her pussy of what she was missing? In a stairwell of all places!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She looked at Eros’s concerned face inches from hers. His eyes skimmed her visage, caressing </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her skin. Lust still swirled in those depths and her sex clenched in response. Dammit! Her body </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">shouldn’t be rooting for the other side! The plan was to make Eros suffer, to find a way to return </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">among the gods, goddesses, and demi-gods.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Let me go!” she squirmed in Eros’ arms that he had no choice but to put her on her feet. The </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">moment she did, her hip brushed Eros’ semi erect shaft. Tessa gasped when Eros’ arm snaked </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">around her waist to flush her against him before he started to grind himself against her hip.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Eros!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What?” His brow arched even as he continued to rub himself against her. “C’mon let me in.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Here?” Tessa gasped in shock. “We’re in the middle of the damn street!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros continued to rock while he leaned to whisper in her ear. “Look around you Tessa. You’re in </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a fucking orgy.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Tessa turned in Eros’ embrace and her eyes nearly popped out at the different </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">couples….coupling. Everywhere she looked, people were making out. The paramedic had a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">woman on the gurney inside the ambulance with his face buried deep between her thighs, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">pleasuring her as she moaned and held him against her mons. Another woman was bent against </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">a lamp post, her skirt raised around her hips, and her thighs spread wide. An immaculately </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">dressed man had his dick out of his trousers and inside the woman, his hands gripping her hips </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">as he pounded into her. The woman’s screams joined other couples cries. No inhibitions. No </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">shame. The sight of people experiencing the heights of carnal pleasure made Tessa feel as </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">wanton as they were. Her breasts swelled and heat gushed out of her already soaked thong at </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">the sight of so many in the throes of ecstasy. Eros nuzzled her neck while he continued to tease </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">her with his cock between her cheeks. Tessa pussy involuntarily squeezed vaguely remembering </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">how thick Eros was, and by Olympus, she wanted to feel him inside her again. Her eyes were </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">drifting close, her lips parting in a sigh when Eros cupped her breasts and played with her </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">nipples that hardened against her dress. She continued to watch everyone, turned on by what </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">she saw.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A scene of pure lust with the scent of sex mingling in the air.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And so many wayward arrows piercing random butts. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The sight woke her up like a splash of water from the Styx.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What in Hades did you do?” She turned around in shock and pushed Eros away. The cool air </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">was chilly against her skin at the loss of his warmth. “Sure you can fuck ‘til the next millennia in </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Bacchus’ parties but hello? Earth calling Eros! The police will be crawling up our asses and arrest </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">everyone for public indecency!” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“It’s not like I commanded the arrows to shoot at random.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Eros scowled, raking his hands through his hair in frustration. His cock bulged against his </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">pants like a strangled dowsing rod. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“So you’re saying you can’t control your arrows like you </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">can’t control your unruly dick.” Tessa said, giving an indelicate snort.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Hey, my cock needs pussy action.” Eros defended his appendage. “And your pussy is the one I </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">want to sink into.” He moved towards her again and Tessa’s libido went on overdrive.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Libido, she thought. A new word she learned on earth that was as old as time. No one was </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">immune. Human or immortal.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Tessa,” Eros’ knuckles grazed her cheek and she leaned into his caress. He tilted her chin to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">accept </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">his kiss. “Let me in.” he murmured against her mouth.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“No.” The moment she moved away, she started longing for his touch. Why was it so damned </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">difficult to stick to the plan? Several women screamed their climax. Men groaned when they </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">came. Vesta help her, she wanted to experience the same mind blowing release.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">With Eros.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Seriously, she was going bonkers. Her mind and Fortuna demanded that Eros be punished. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Her heart and pussy begged her to give in.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You took my life away, Eros,” she sighed, staring unseeingly at the orgy in front of her. “What </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">would you have me do?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros’ sexy smile faltered before he looked away, a frown pulling at his forehead. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What would you want me to do?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa was holding on to a thin thread of sanity because even sombre, Eros was still handsome, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">almost beautiful to look at. A eureka moment dawned on her. She moved closer to Eros, her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">mouth curving in a mischievous smile. Eros growled, lust flaring in his eyes when Tessa trailed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her fingers, then her hand down his firm chest, abs all the way to his now straining cock. She </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">unzipped his fly and took his shaft in her hand, watching the look of ecstasy on Eros’ face while </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">she pumped him. It was a revelation to see the kind of power she had over the God of Love.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And his dick.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She rose on tiptoe to take nips of his mouth, sucking on his tongue, and smiling at the growling </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">noises he made. Just as Eros gripped her hips, Tessa stopped her hand job and zipped his cock </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">back inside Eros’ pants. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“If you can control your arrows, your wayward cock, and find a way to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">get me back to Olympus.” She stepped back and grinned at the disbelief on Eros’ face. She </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">winked and walked away, throwing one last parting shot over her shoulder.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You can have my pussy.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Chapter 6</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By </span><a href="http://rebeccaroyce.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Rebecca Royce</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros drummed his fingers on the table in the coffee shop and considered his situation. It would </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">help if he could consume more caffeine but since the mortals had gone and made coffee so </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">expensive he was limited to one a day. He shook his head. What was a latte anyway? Had they </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">made up that word? </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Bacchus stared at him through red-brimmed eyes. When was the last time Eros had seen Bacchus </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">not hung-over? One millennia? Two? “Let me get this straight. The woman gives you an ultimatum </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and rather than telling her to go fuck off you are actually considering doing what she wants?” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I can’t explain it.” He wasn’t even lying; he couldn’t come up with a reason why Tessa was so </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">damned important to him except she was—and he had to go with the path he was on since no </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">other ones were currently presenting themselves to him. “She’s special. That’s really what it </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">comes </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">down to and the only one my dick is willing to get hard for anymore.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Bacchus shook his head. “Better you than me, my brother. Alright, here’s the deal. I think it’s </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fairly </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">obvious that your arrows have gone askew because your dick is acting up. Whatever has </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">thrown one </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">of them out of alignment has made the other one go soft, or vice versa.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He hated any conversation that combined talk of his dick with the word </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">soft</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. “Go on.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">If he clenched his teeth any tighter together he was going to give himself a migraine. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Excuse me.” A nasally voice caught his attention and three women stood to their left. They </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">seemed </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">to be wearing some kind of uniform he’d never seen before but consisted of each one </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">of them dressed </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">in black yoga pants, a long sleeve t-shirt depicting various phrases about working </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">out, and sneakers to complete the look. Perched on their hips were three toddlers, one of whom </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">waved at Bacchus like they were old friend. Maybe they were. Who knew who the Gods chose to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">reincarnate these days or where those souls got sent. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Bacchus raised a finger and waved back at the toddler, leaving Eros to deal with the woman who </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">had spoken to them. “Can I help you?” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“We don’t like that kind of conversation in here. There </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">are children present.” The female on the left accentuated every word she said with a flip of her </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">brown hair over her shoulder. She would be beautiful if she hadn’t pursed her lips and if </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">holier-than thou attitude didn’t radiate from her pores. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros leaned forward. “Couple of things. Number one, this is a coffee shop, not a day care. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">If you don’t like what I’m saying, feel free to leave. Number two, you really need to get laid. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Go home and see whoever gave you that beautiful baby and make him get you to come at least </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">three times tonight. See if it loosens the stick from your ass.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Okay.” Bacchus jumped to his feet, grabbing Eros by the arm when he did. “Time to go. Enough </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">caffeine for you.” They were on the street before the woman could even gasp and rounding the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">corner. “Don’t mess with those women Eros. Didn’t you see their shirts? They do cross-fit. One </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of them could probably throw you through the window of the coffee place before you even knew </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">what hit you. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get blood stains out of clothing?” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“How do you even know this?” What did Bacchus do when no one paid attention?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Long story. Look, okay, if you’re going to do this crazy thing and give Tessa what she wants </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">because she is the only one you can fuck right now then let’s get to it. I don’t know what to do </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">about getting your dick to behave. That’s out of my realm of expertise, but I do know someone </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">who can help with the arrows.” They crossed the street quickly before the light turned. “Although </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I hate to ask the bastard.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros stopped walking immediately. “You don’t mean…” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I do, unfortunately.” Bacchus sighed loudly. “I think you’re going to have to go ask Apollo to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">help you.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros shuddered. “I would rather take a bullet through the head.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Well considering that wouldn’t kill you, I rather believe you would.” Bacchus laughed. “Listen, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">you go see Apollo or we could talk to your mother about the dick problem.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Absolutely not.” The very idea turned his stomach. “My mother can’t know anything about </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">this. Aphrodite would have a field day. I’d never hear the end of it. But really? Apollo is such </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a downer. He’s going to be all disapproving. I’m going to hear a lecture for the ages.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“And then when he’s done with that, he’ll fix your arrows and maybe even your dick in the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">process.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros had thought he didn’t want to hear any phrases that contained the words </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">dick</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">soft</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> in t</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hem, but hearing Apollo and his cock in the same description was much, much worse. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Come on, Cupid, let’s go get this over with so you can finally bed Tessa and get on with your life.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Nodding, he followed Bacchus down the street. He didn’t correct the other man’s assumption, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">but he had a strong suspicion that once he bedded Tessa again, he would never, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ever</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> want </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">anyone else. She was it for him and he’d jump through any hoops he had to, to get to her. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Even Apollo’s. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Chapter 7</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By </span><a href="http://patriciawfischer.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Patricia Walters Fischer</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Son-of-a-bitch!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A wide smile split Apollo’s face as he reclined on a large pile of multi-colored pillows and rugs. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Eros. Bacchus. What took you so long?” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Eros stormed over to the God of Medicine and Music, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">ready to fight to the death. “What did you do to me?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Only what you’ve deserved for a long time, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Cupid</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You’re still upset about that?” Bacchus mocked. “Dude, get a life. It’s one girl.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jumping to his feet, Apollo stood nose to nose with him. “She was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">my</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> one girl.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Seeing the pain in Apollo’s eyes, an overwhelming sadness filled Eros’ heart.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">What have I done?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">On the journey here, it occurred to Eros his problems began right after the festival, but that </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">made no sense. He’d attended the festival for millennia and never a penis problem one. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Why now? He replayed the scene in his head.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The image of Tessa hiding behind the tree. Her thin chemise barely covering her luscious curves. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The fire in the night threw its flames high and wide, lighting up the night time and outlining her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">body. He watched her as she peeked at the orgy in front of them and simply couldn’t help himself. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Even now, his mouth watered at the idea of her luscious curves, the way she tasted, the feel of her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">skin.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“I can see from that confused look on your face, Cupid, that you’re still trying to figure this </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">entire thing out.” Apollo smirked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Quit calling me Cupid,” Eros growled as his head pounded with ideas.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Why now? Why this festival? All I did was fuck Tessa against that tree…oh no.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros’ eyebrows slammed into his hairline. “Daphne.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Daphne,” Apollo whispered her name.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">For too many years, Eros had attended the festival in pursuit of pussy, but he always avoided </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that part of the forest for good reason. There stood a very specific tree.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> A laurel tree. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The very tree that was once Daphne, Apollo’s love. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The woman Eros shot with a leaded arrow to make sure she never fell in love with the God of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Medicine and Music, right after he shot Apollo with a golden arrow to guarantee he’d love her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for eternity.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Karma’s a bitch, isn’t it, Cupid?” Apollo tossed back a goblet of wine.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros’ own arrogance angered him. How he let Apollo get under his skin so long ago still rubbed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">him the wrong way. Apollo’s taunting had pushed Eros to hurt not only him, but the beautiful </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">nymph Daphne, who’d done nothing more than be quite beautiful.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The bastard has probably been waiting millennia to fuck with me.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The image of the tree still haunted him. The way the trunk resembled the nymph’s body as she </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">danced. The branches outstretched like arms as her head leaned back in ecstasy. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His mother warned him that gods don’t take defeat lightly and some, like Apollo, were extremely </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">patient and could wait out their adversaries until the perfect time to instill their plan.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">But how did Apollo do this? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It didn’t matter. He promised he’d help Tessa and he needed Apollo </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to do it. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Yanking at the crotch of his pants, he tried to adjust so he felt some sense of release, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">but to no avail. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“Problems?” Apollo laughed. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">He growled. “Damn you, Apollo. Fix it.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“Fix what?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Standing with his feet wide, Eros pointed to his penis. “You know fucking well what.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The corner of Apollo’s mouth twitched. “Your dick? Sorry, not in the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">dick fixing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> mood today.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Bacchus’ head fell back as his rich laughter was probably heard all the way down to Earth. He </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">filled a large chalice with wine and sat down in an oversized chair near the fire.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lunging forward, Eros’ hands reached for Apollo’s throat. Right before Eros made contact, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo disappeared and ended up on the opposite side of the room where the muses busied </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">themselves. “Choking me won’t accomplish anything. I’m immortal, remember?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Sure it will. I’ll feel better.” Storming across the temple, the slap of Eros’ shoes on marble </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">echoed throughout. “Fix it!” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Evaporating again, Apollo stood near the pyre. His arms locked </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">across his chest as the flames danced behind him. “I can do this all night and from what I’ve </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">heard, you can’t or you can’t do much. The juice from the laurel fruit can be quite toxic. Causes </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">all sorts of problems.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You’re a piece of shit.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A horrible thought stopped him in his tracks. “Did you tell anyone about this?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A scowl replaced Apollo’s mischievous smirk. “I told you a long time ago to leave the heavy </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">lifting to us full gods and you could go around shooting your arrows any which way you wanted </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">when it came to love and passion.” Smoothing down his thick robes, Apollo picked a few grapes </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">from the silver bowl to his left. “But you didn’t want to listen so I’m making you listen.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“To be fair, gods or demi-gods aren’t good at listening to anybody.” Bacchus drummed his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fingers on the armrest of the chair as a buxom muse sauntered by. His eyes raked across her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">body. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">She giggled, crooked her finger and gave him a wink before disappearing around the corner.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Without a word, Bacchus followed.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Seeing his one ally leave, Eros’ temerity faltered slightly. Without Bacchus’ full backup, he might </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">not be able to hold his own. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Sitting on his throne, Apollo’s Cheshire cat grin further unnerved </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Eros. “Well, well. How the tables are turned.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“You’re enjoying this a little too much, Apollo.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Payback’s a bitch.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Fuck off.” The amount of pride Eros had to swallow to walk into his adversary’s temple was </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">almost too much to take. If his cock didn’t ache so damned much from missing Tessa’s perfect </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">touch, Eros would have never considered being here at all.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">But he needed Apollo’s help because he needed her. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Not needed. Wanted Tessa desperately.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She was his addiction. His muse. His life.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Word has it that a lovely little thing has you so wrapped, you’re having trouble in the bedroom. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That your arrows have gone out of control.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros clenched his jaw so tightly, he could have easily cracked a tooth. “Is that what you were </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hoping for? Me having no control over what I do?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Something like that, but seeing the madness that your misfiring has caused is better than </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">anything I’ve seen in a long time.” Waving his hand over the fire, the bird’s eye view of the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">madness popped up. “Interesting. There’s two, no three men and two women…wow, she’s quite </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the contortionist.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“Fix it.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“And why should I? You took my love and I took your ability to control love.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">For thousands of years, Eros had built a world out of controlling love, lust, and like. If Apollo </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">permanently took that away from him, Eros would have no purpose. He would waste away into </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">nothing and the Earth he’d watched over would fall into complete chaos.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“But I can’t have people going around humping all the time. They’ll become so obsessed with </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that, they won’t do anything else and I can’t have them stop their need for me.” Apollo snapped </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his fingers and instantaneously, Eros felt the angst and stress of the need for release evaporate.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He rolled his shoulders from side to side as the muscles in his neck and back relaxed. “Damn, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that feels great.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">With a whoosh, his quiver, bow, and arrows shot in through the open doors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">They assembled and hovered in front of him. Eros grabbed and held them with a white-knuckle </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">grip. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“I have to hand it to her; she sure knew how to work you.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“What?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“The woman. Tessa. She sure knew how to work you well.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros’ anger surged to the surface. “You stay the hell away from Tessa.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo drummed his fingers on the armrest. “I know she wishes to return to Vesta’s temple </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and the only way she can do that is to be a virgin again. Agreed?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Swallowing hard, Eros reluctantly nodded. “Yes, she wishes to return. I promised I’d get her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">there.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">But she also agreed to give me her pussy if I could get her back.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He paused. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That makes no sense. How do I get her to Vesta and she’s promising to be with me?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I see from that furrow in your brow that you are confused.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“If she returns to the temple, we can’t…fuck…ever.” Eros paced. “Why would she promise </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">something she can’t give?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo shot Eros a pity-filled look. “Fortuna has been quite a source of information. Seems her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and your lover are close friends.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Fortuna? What does she have to do with anything?” Not that he cared. The woman had been </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">nothing but a pain in Eros’ ass for years. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dread settled in his gut like a lead balloon. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-indent: 21.6pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">No.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“That wonderful sweet smell from your lover? The way she tastes. Breathes. Loves. Sucks. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The want of you not getting enough? The addiction you have of her?” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“Yes.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“It’s laurel juice. Well, that and a few other herbs I’ve mixed up, but know it’s all for medicinal </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">purposes only.” Tilting his nose up, Apollo smirked. “She’s been drinking it just as I instructed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her to, to get you highly addicted to her. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“She wouldn’t do that. To me.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You sure? You took her life away. Fucked her without thought or emotion and left her there </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">without a second thought. Laurel juice is quite potent though. Sadly, the girl gets horribly </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hungover from it.” Standing, Apollo causally walked about the room as he poured more salt into </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the heartwounds of the God of Love. “Fortuna asked me to help her. You see, your Tessa wanted </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to ruin you. She came to Fortuna who came to me and told me how you screwed her to never </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ending passion right up against that laurel tree. Against my beloved Daphne.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros shook his head, knowing something didn’t ring true. “You’re lying. The timing doesn’t add </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">up. I had…problems before I met Tessa, not after.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Ah, yes. Well, the laurel tree drops its berries. You were standing in a sea of them when you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">went on your fuck-fest. I simply increased their effect on you after I watched you pop Tessa’s </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">maidenhood, drove her to never ending passion right up against that laurel tree. Against my </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">beloved Daphne.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo’s words dripped from his mouth like poison. “At first, I wanted their magic a bit more, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">but it did make so much sense to let her be your addiction and your cure. The very person who </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wants nothing to do with you when it’s all said and done.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Never had Eros thought he’d see the day where his own heart crumbled from betrayal. Eros’ </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">pride plummeted to his feet. “She betrayed me?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I have to say, the girl is quite smart. Bewitching you so. Leading you around by your cock. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Beautifully done, but it really doesn’t matter. With the amount of laurel juice she’s consumed, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">she’d headed for kidney failure. Humans are so fragile. Pitiful.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sinking to his knees, Eros screamed an unholy cry that carried all the way to Mount Olympus.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tears ran down his face at the thought of losing Tessa two-fold, but despite her betrayal, hearing </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of her imminent death broke his heart far more. “Please, don’t hurt her. I’ll do anything you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">want.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">A low chuckle radiated around him. “Anything, huh? I seem to remember begging you </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">for something similar many years ago. Do you remember that?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Yes.” The pleading look from Apollo as he watched Daphne change into a tree. How Eros </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">knew how to change her to love the God of Medicine but refused to do it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The feet of Apollo appeared in front of Eros as he hung his head. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tucking his fingers under Eros’ chin, Apollo tilted his chin up. With a satisfied smirk, Apollo </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">whispered, “Now you know how it feels to have your entire heart ripped out of your body.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Chapter 8</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By </span><a href="http://www.elizabethsafleur.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Elizabeth SaFleur</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Not even the lesser gods like Eros sunk to their knees easily, let alone stayed there. Yet Eros </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">couldn’t imagine ever rising again. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa, his lovely Tessa.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You wouldn’t kill an innocent. . .” Eros words bounced off the stone floor.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Oh, I would do more than that if it serves the greater good.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Greater good? Anger replaced his grief. Eros may have been a lesser god, but even an immortal </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">had a point of no return. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros rose. “How can you say that?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You’ve had your cock buried in so many nymphs, you’ve lost your purpose.” Apollo lazily lifted </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a golden goblet but didn’t drink. “And your arrow’s effect on me has made fulfilling my purpose . . . </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">difficult. So, I’ll strike you a deal.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Apollo poured the liquid from the goblet into a small vial </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">and tucked it into his belt. “Ambrosia. It reverses the Laurel berry’s effects.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;"> “So, you’ll—”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Not yet.” He sent Eros an angry gaze. “Figure it out, Eros. You have twenty-four Earth </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hours to earn the right to this vial. I presume you know what Earth hours are?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo’s words dripped with a smug supremacy—the same tone that urged Eros punish Apollo </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in the first place. Only, Eros didn’t feel like punishing. His only desire was to return to Tessa </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with the ambrosia. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Could he overpower Apollo? Take the antidote from him? He didn’t get the chance to find out.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">With robes flying, Apollo left Eros alone with his thoughts and his roiling gut. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Figure it out.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Had Apollo gone mad? No matter, he had to see Tessa. He would help her even if </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">it meant he had to trade in every arrow in his quiver.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Earth had somewhat returned to normal when Eros returned. Filthy streets, people brushing </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">past one another without looking into each other’s eyes, homeless men and women muttering </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to themselves . . . Yes, Earth--where he’d spent centuries trying to make people’s lives better--</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">was the same, dismal place. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Finding Tessa wasn’t difficult. As he stood in her bedroom room </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">doorway, his heart ached. She lay curled on her side, clutching her stomach. For the second time </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">in recent days, he knelt. As Eros raised her hand, his heart flipped at seeing her lashes lift at his </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">touch. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">He hadn’t a clue where to start. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“I just came from Olympus.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She winced. Okay, not the right words. “Why did you pledge yourself to Vesta? Become a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">vestal virgin?” He wasn’t sure where the question came from. But he suddenly wanted to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">know everything about his goddess-turned-woman. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">She sent glassy eyes to his face. “I wanted a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">choice.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">His brow must have furrowed in question, as she sighed deeply as if readying herself to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">explain the alphabet to an Earth child. “I didn’t want to be married off to some male, uh—” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">she winced “—god . . . just to bear his children and then spend my nights wondering which </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">nymph he chased in the forest.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Tessa might not have had her own quiver of barbs, but her </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">words arrowed through his heart nonetheless.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You think so little of me?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I don’t think of you at all. I mostly . . . feel you.” She shivered. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He dropped his quiver and slid into bed next to her. As he played with her hair, his cock </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">stiffened. Now alive, he wanted nothing more than for it to stand down—at least until he </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">gained permission to re-enter his sweet Tessa.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She pushed her ass back toward him. She wasn’t helping his stand-down order.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I know you took Laurel berries,” he said quietly. “I know you plotted revenge for me taking you. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I know—” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“You know nothing. And nothing’s more dangerous than a God of Love who doesn’t </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">feel love himself.” She groaned loudly. “How do humans take substances?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Humans often do things that aren’t in their best interest. That’s what free will gets you.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Her hair smelled </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">so</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> good.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa ground her behind against his ever-hardening cock. “But at least they have a choice. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Damn you</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.” She moved his hand so that it cupped her breast. “I like that. I shouldn’t like that.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Why not?” He pressed his cock between her luscious butt cheeks, but not getting very far due </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to the thong she wore.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Because it’s not me . . . it’s the berries. Like your seduction skills. Like your damned arrows.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“My arrows make people very happy.” He nibbled on her neck.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“They didn’t make Apollo or Daphne happy. And, hitting anyone you feel like, just because you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">like playing with these Earth people? Not cool.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“The gift of love—”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Should be </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">earned</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. You take away everything, don’t you? My immortality, mortals’ free will . . . </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Oh, God, your fingers.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Without thought, his hand had travelled down to her folds, soaked with </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">her inability to resist the pleasure he could offer. Something danced on the edge of his </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">consciousness. Who cared? Tessa was in his arms.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Let me help you. Ease some of this,” he swiped a finger through her folds, earning a satisfying </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">moan from the back of her throat. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“You want to help me?” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She grasped his hand and raised it to her heart. “Make me immortal, Cupid, and return me to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Olympus.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">“And then?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“And then I shall pay the price. You’ll have </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">this</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.” She ground her glorious ass against his aching </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cock once more. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">The thought she considered her precious womanhood a “price” unnerved him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">What was wrong with him? He’d never thought of the female-du-jour in his arms more than a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">prize worth chasing, a willing partner, and a moment of pleasure.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa groaned as his fingers continued to play her. “My desire mocks me,” she said into the p</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">illow.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A tumble of thoughts shamed him. He made her feel good, yet she felt no pleasure? She wanted </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">him to reverse what he gave her—long moments of unbridled passion? She wanted to deflect </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">him? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Free will.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He knew what to do. He eased himself from Tessa, who had fallen asleep. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">When Eros found Apollo, the god was in his usual stance. Lying back on pillows, receiving grapes </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">from goddesses, looking as smug as ever. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> “I’ve, as you put it, figured it out,” Eros said.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> “Well this should be good.” Bacchus’ words slurred as he stumbled into Apollo’s chamber. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The man had an annoying sense of timing, showing up at the worst time.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Yes.” Fortuna stepped from behind Bacchus, disdain rolling off her in waves. Damn, Fortuna, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">another immortal who had a habit of showing up when least desired.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo raised his hand, which stopped any more words from either of their mouths. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Speak . . . </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Cupid</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros ignored the bait and stepped as close as he dared. He’d seen Apollo’s moods incinerate men </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and lesser immortals just because he was bored. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I can end your sorrow . . . and Daphne’s. I can reverse my arrow’s effect. If Daphne wishes to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">return to you, devoid of the effects of the hate arrow, she will. If not, then she has made her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">choice of her own free will.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“And me?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“The same. Once I reverse the effects, you will either love her . . . or not. But, Tessa must return </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to Olympus, immortal and free.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo was truly intimidating when he straightened to his full height. “Do it. And Eros, if you’re </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">lying, Tessa dies.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The thought that his love—yes, his true love—would be harmed in any way filled him with </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">intention he’d never before experienced. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“First, Tessa. Bring her here.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Before he could blink, Tessa materialized on a pillow nearest Apollo’s feet. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros jumped back a little. He’d forgotten how powerful Apollo could be, summoning anyone </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">from his realm, even women once immortal-turned-mortal, to wherever he wished them to be. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Except Daphne, he reminded himself.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Another layer of epiphany rose in his consciousness. Apollo’s heart wasn’t the only part of the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">god that Eros’s arrow had nicked. Under the arrow’s effect, Apollo had irrepressible feelings. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It must have galled Apollo to no end to have part of his world not under his control. Eros had </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">had </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">power</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> over Apollo. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And look where it got you. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa moaned. Eros leaned down and whispered in her ear, “First part over. You are in </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 21.6pt; white-space: pre;">Olympus.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He pulled an arrow from his quiver and made himself a promise. He’d never again shoot them </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with such impunity—</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">without thought</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. “Away to the Laurel tree in the forest. Away to Daphne.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He loosed the arrow, which shot through the largest window on the other side of the chamber. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He didn’t hesitate to release a second straight to Apollo’s heart. Both arrows needed to strike at </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the same time for their reversal to work.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A clap of thunder announced his timing had been perfect.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo fell backward onto the pillows, taking the two goddesses who had been writhing their </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">bodies over him earlier, with him. They giggled. Apollo looked. . . relieved.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“It’s done. Now the vial.” Eros held out his hand.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo tossed the vial to him. He made short work of dripping its contents between Tessa’s lips. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She gasped and for a few seconds, a blinding light filled the chamber. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">When his eyesight cleared, color had returned to her face, and her luscious body was encased in </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a soft, cream-colored gown. Her new look suited her better than those ugly Earth clothes. Still, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">he’d prefer her nude and writhing underneath him. His cock agreed, pressing against the tight </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cloth holding him captive.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros helped her to her feet. She pulled back immediately, proving her strength had also returned.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros still wanted to crush his body against hers, ram his cock between her legs until she screamed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his name in pleasure. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Damn, Apollo. “The Laurel berries. They must still be in her system. I still feel—”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Unbridled passion?” Fortuna mocked him. “Don’t tell me. Eros is turned on. What a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">surprise</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Shut it, Fortuna.” Secretly, he admitted she had a point. His cock was back to its original state—</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ready for business whenever the opportunity arose. Only now the only “opportunity” he wanted </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">lay between Tessa’s legs.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Well, it worked.” Tessa brushed her long gown. “I don’t feel like one of those snaky furry things </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">from Earth—”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Cats.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Whatever. I’m not like one of those </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cats</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> in heat anymore.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“That’s a pity,” Bacchus said into his cup. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa stretched, sending her breasts closer to Eros’s body. He kept himself from reaching out </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and suckling on her nipple visible through the thin fabric.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I feel good.” A smile played on Tessa’s lips. She twirled in place, like a very young girl. Damn, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">could she have returned to . . . no, not possible.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo returned to his feet. “The ambrosia has returned you to your immortal state, but sadly, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">not a Vestal Virgin.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Fortuna’s face burned scarlet. “That wasn’t our deal. You couldn’t have!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Couldn’t have? Have you met me?” Apollo laughed, and the marble statues around the large </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">room rattled. “I am </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. Never forget that.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Vesta rushed in, sandals flapping on the stone floor. “Tessa!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The two goddesses embraced. “I’m glad to be home.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I feel terrible how we left things.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Once again, I am sorry.” Tessa kneeled at the other goddess’s feet.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A pang of desire shot through Eros as if one of his own arrows pierced his heart. Her position </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">taunted him. He rather liked Tessa on her knees.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Vesta pulled her to standing. “Come, we’ll figure something out. Justine and Ophelia wish to see </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">you. They have admitted their part in how things turned out and—”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Not so fast, my lovely goddesses.” Eros had met his end of the bargain with Tessa. It was time to</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">collect his prize—her succulent body, nude and writhing underneath him. “There is the matter of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fulfilling a promise.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa blushed a hundred shades of red. Great. Not only had her immortality been restored so </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">had her modesty. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros held out his hand. “Tessa? Come with me now.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa crossed her arms. “If I recall, it was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> who returned me to my state. Not you.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo’s booming laughter once again filled the space. “Oh, she’s good. You may have finally </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">met your match, Cupid. Of course, if she wishes to bestow her favors on </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">me</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">, her savior, I will </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">not object.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Over my ashes.” Eros had an arrow locked and ready to shoot at Apollo once more. “I can </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">return you to your own unbridled passionate state quite easily.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Eros! No.” Tessa stood in front of the arrow. She placed her hand on the tip and lowered his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">arrow to point at the ground. “Enough.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Well, well, the two non-lovers saving each other. How quaint.” Fortuna spat on the floor, turned </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and walked out. Fortuna grew bored easily.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Vesta stepped forward. “Tessa, you should know that you were never meant to be a Vestal Virgin </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for forever. Only until a holy marriage was offered. You could then retire and marry whomever </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">you wished. Of course, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Cupid</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> forced your hand.” Vesta was a kind goddess, though the look she </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">threw Eros on those final words belied that fact. And why did everyone in Olympus insist on </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">calling him Cupid!? No matter. Her scathing look did little to wither his growing hard-on at the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">thought of having Tessa in his bed every night.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You didn’t let me finish, Tessa.” Eros sheathed his arrow. “I wish to be your first lover, and your </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">last. Bond with me, as only the gods can do.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Marry you before Hera?” Tessa spit hair from her face and backed away. “Are you crazy?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“No. A wise woman once told me that I wouldn’t be a good God of Love if I hadn’t experienced it </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">myself. You did that for me, my goddess Tessa. I love you. Bond with me.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I’m not supposed to. I-I can’t.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You can. Free will, remember? You are free to love whomever you choose.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Vesta sighed. “He’s right. I shall miss you, Tessa. But you are no longer one of my Vestal Virgins. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Not even Apollo could reverse that state. You are free to choose.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa peered up at Apollo. “Did Eros do what he said?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I still love Daphne. But it feels less of a compulsion. So, I’d say, yes. But if you ever again—” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“He won’t.” Tessa turned to Eros. “Will you?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“If I’m occupied with other pursuits--” he lifted her hand to his lips “--I won’t have time to do </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">much else.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tessa’s face colored anew. But when he cupped her cheek, she pressed her face into his palm. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“A trial,” she said.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Fair enough.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Pussy whipped.” Bacchus snorted. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Oh, and Eros, If you ever visit Earth again, you will find yourself called Cupid. Deal with it.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Apollo’s face stretched into a smile.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros supposed it was a small price to pay for love. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“So, this is what it feels like.” He itched to reach into his quiver. Perhaps one more arrow. . . </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">just so he could share the overwhelming feeling consuming him. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Don’t even think about it . . . </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.” Tessa gave him a sly smile. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Valentine’s Day is coming up.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Have faith. The Earth people don’t often make the right choice. But the mistakes are theirs to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">make. Besides, now that I’m not bound to being a Vestal Virgin, I have plans for you that don’t </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">involve arrows. Or at least not </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> kind.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Before Eros could grasp her waist, she turned and fled the chamber. What the…? </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Eros gave chase. The forest floor was soft under his feet, and Tessa’s giggles urged him to run </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">faster. He caught her just under the giant Laurel tree. Daphne had remained in her state. He </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">reminded himself it was her choice. And when he sank his cock, now hard as Mount Olympus </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">itself, into Tessa’s wet pussy, he relished in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> choice—of Tessa, of real love.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The End</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-77602905930333593342017-12-30T08:57:00.000-06:002017-12-30T08:57:49.113-06:00New Year Giveaway<br />
Our friend and author Laurie Olerich is having a giveaway!<br />
<br />
2018 is right around the corner and I am so excited! Let's start the new year off with a bang---or at least some free stuff! Click on the Rafflecopter link to enter. No purchase necessary. Have friends who love books? Share this post so they can enter too!<br />
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http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2587aed54/?<br />
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Fine print: Neither Facebook nor Amazon is involved with this giveaway. But Inner Goddess is always up for a giveaway.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-17908178864815273152017-10-12T00:30:00.000-05:002017-10-12T00:30:00.202-05:00Laurie Olerich and Koivu Release Day<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Release Day to our good friend and author, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Laurie Olerich! We are so excited for the release of this </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3rd book in the Demons After Dark series.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We love our Primani but these boys kick it up to a whole new level of heat! How about a couple of Excerpts!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Warning:
This story contains intensely hot sex, an irresistibly-damaged hero,
and a damsel with a steel backbone. Have a box of tissues handy. The
author takes no responsibility for missed work or grouchiness from
lack of sleep. </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Excerpt
One:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“<span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If
you take off the blindfold, you’ll never know what you’re capable
of.” He tapped her arm with something narrow, icy, and hard. “Feel
that? That’s my toy for tonight.” He skimmed it across her belly
and asked, “Does it scare you?”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Goosebumps
followed the cold, pebbling her skin. Her pulse soared. Her voice
turned breathless. “Yes.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">“</span><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">It
should.” He leaned in, stroking her lips with the tip of his
tongue, licking at her, coaxing her to open for him. When she did, he
plunged his tongue into her mouth, stroking rhythmically until she
forgot all about fear. Breaking off the kiss, he gently caressed her
cheek with the </span></span><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">toy</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.
She tensed up again, but he reclaimed her mouth in another blistering
kiss. Pulling away at last, he said, “I swear I won’t damage you.
Will you trust me, baby?”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“<span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">For
now.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“<span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Sit
back against the headboard, bend your legs and spread them wide.”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Her
new position drew the tiny thong through the center of her cleft,
digging into her delicate skin. She wriggled her ass to relieve the
pressure but only tightened it more.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
bed shifted when he sat down beside her. The rough hair on his thighs
brushed her knees as he moved between them. He hesitated for so long
she began to squirm again. “What are you doing?” she asked,
turning her head left and right.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">“</span><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Hold
very still.” Something sharp glided beneath her bra strap. A sudden
quick motion sent the strap falling down her arm. The toy </span></span><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">was</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">a
blade. Her breath caught with a whimper. He chuckled softly and drew
the cold metal across her breasts to the other bra strap. It fell
too.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">She
jumped and a sharp point pricked her skin. She froze with a shocked
gasp. She squeezed her eyes closed behind the blindfold and waited
for fear to kick in, but it didn’t. Her heart pounded madly. Her
breath came in pants. She wasn’t afraid at all. She was more
aroused than she’d ever been.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l8UVU0oklxXwDjqxO1ohhSwT5zwSdrdcRgMtvh3LluPpmK73rQQ5DGsvMlq9CiOOnzIJwP3JX0cC8YPg2VpaXAzof36pzkHVlbd-2vsvDVhZwMGSlF7WFr4Sx7oHl_5IZt17ES7bjBo/s1600/koivu+sexy+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="815" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l8UVU0oklxXwDjqxO1ohhSwT5zwSdrdcRgMtvh3LluPpmK73rQQ5DGsvMlq9CiOOnzIJwP3JX0cC8YPg2VpaXAzof36pzkHVlbd-2vsvDVhZwMGSlF7WFr4Sx7oHl_5IZt17ES7bjBo/s640/koivu+sexy+image.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Excerpt
Two:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“<span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Yo,
asshole! Let her go!” Koivu roared. He helped the guy let go of
Micki by twisting his arm behind his back like a chicken wing.
Walking him towards the exit, he missed the door and
accidently-on-purpose slammed the guy’s face into the doorjamb once
or maybe twice or possibly three times before his nose decided to
bleed and Micki started shrieking in his ear.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“<span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Koivu!
Stop it!” She tugged on his arm, her delicate hands barely
noticeable. “You’re hurting him!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“<span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And?”
he asked. What was her point? “He was hurting you. It seems fair.”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
guy—whatever his name was—was busy trying to twist out of Koivu’s
hold without breaking his own arm. Koivu simply jacked his elbow a
bit higher and the struggles stopped.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">She
threw up her hands in exasperation and cried hoarsely, “Let him go!
I just want him to leave. Okay?”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“<span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">You
sound terrible. Didn’t the doctor tell you to take it easy today?
Yelling your head off can’t be helping your sore throat.” He felt
compelled to point that out since she wasn’t following the doctor’s
orders.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
guy turned his head in her direction and restarted the argument Koivu
heard through the door. “Is this him? Is this the guy you’re
fucking?”</span></span></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“<span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And
what if he is? It’s none of your damn business, Jake. You’ve got
your life and I’ve got mine. Just stay away.” She blinked back
tears and pointed at the door. “Please. Just stay away.”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Console, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jake
opened his trap to say something else, but Koivu was fresh out of
interest. Micki was trying to keep it together, but she was shaking
like a leaf, and he’d seen the tears she tried to hide. Time to end
this bullshit. He jerked Jake around and shoved him through the open
doorway onto the front porch. Before he dumped him into the yard, he
bent closer to warn, “Come near my girl again and I’ll break you
in half. Understand?”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tink's Review</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I had a chance to check this book out before it's release and I am here to tell you that you are in for a real treat. Having read the other two books in the series, I already had an affinity for Koivu, he is a overtly sexual and very sexy former demon who has a wicked sense of humor and a smoking hot body too! What's not to love, right? So I was very excited to get his story.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There is so much more to Koivu than meets the eye. In hell he was a playboy MMA legend but on earth, he is a human who looks forward to going back. When he suffers a shoulder injury, he goes to Micki for physical therapy and the attraction is instant and undeniable. Now how does he get her in his bed?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Micki, Dr. Micki Glass that is, does her level best to keep it strictly professional. She has come off of a bad relationship and doesn't want to get hurt again, and she is his therapist. Some lines you just shouldn't cross, or should you?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This book moves really fast and it has tons of interesting twists and turns. You can't help but love Koivu and you root for him and Micki throughout. You are going to love this book!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://www.laurieolerich.com/" target="_blank">Look for her info on her Website</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/laurieolerich/" target="_blank">See what she is up to on Pinterest</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-38919671515401658762017-10-04T21:36:00.000-05:002017-10-04T21:36:31.799-05:00Koivu by Laurie Olerich - Preorder NOW
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<br /><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">This wonderful book is up for pre-order now to </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">release on<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">: October 12, 2017</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">I have had a chance to read it and it is HAWT!!! You are going to want to read this and all the other books in the </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Demons After Dark series, they are so good! And go ahead and read her Primani series while you are at it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Join us for 2 excerpts on release day as well as my review.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Blurb:
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Introducing
the Demons after Dark series! It’s hot paranormal romance featuring
unlikely alpha heroes who will make you laugh, cry, and swoon. Known
as Trinity demons, this band of brothers was stripped of their powers
and violently exiled from Hell. Forced to live as humans, they’re
left with no power and no weapons while a secret society quietly
plots Lucifer’s demise. For these big, bad demons, adjusting to
life as a human is, well, harder than Hell!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Former
Hell’s Fury champion, Koivu, is desperate to return to Hell to
reclaim his title and stolen life. As an extreme athlete, he had
fame, glory, and more pleasure than he probably deserved. He was a
freakin’ rock star! Being exiled in a broken human body is his
worst nightmare. Stripped of his powers and unable to fight, he’s
consumed by frustration, counting the seconds until he can go home.
His future looks bleak until he meets a sexy, soft-hearted physical
therapist who heals much more than his shoulder. </span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Physical
therapist Micki Glass knows something about damaged people. She’s
been struggling to get over her ex for three long years when this
crazy man crashes into her life. He’s crude and intense but
irresistibly charming. With his feral eyes and sexy smile, Koivu
takes her on a sensual joyride that makes her feel like a woman
again. As their affair heats up, she craves him like oxygen until she
discovers what he really is. With more than her heart on the line,
can she accept his past and love him for who he is now? </span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
day of reckoning is looming closer and the sacrifices have begun. Can
Koivu stop the murders, find the rest of the Trinity, and convince
the woman he loves to give him another chance?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Warning:
This story contains intensely hot sex, an irresistibly-damaged hero,
and a damsel with a steel backbone. Have a box of tissues handy. The
author takes no responsibility for missed work or grouchiness from
lack of sleep. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Pre-Order links:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2xqQ3nN" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://apple.co/2xbLnhM" target="_blank">ITunes</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2xNPzZk" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2kfRSPn" target="_blank">KOBO</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2hHQ3tN" target="_blank">SmashWords</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">And Stay in Touch with Laurie</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/byhNDD" target="_blank">Sign up for her Newsletter</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://www.laurieolerich.com/" target="_blank">Look for her info on her Website</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/laurieolerich/" target="_blank">See what she is up to on Pinterest</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://twitter.com/LaurieOlerich" target="_blank">Follow her on Twitter</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/laurieolerich" target="_blank">Keep up with her new releases on her Amazon Author Page</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-79852072692585377092017-09-26T10:47:00.000-05:002017-09-26T10:47:26.765-05:00Smoke and Sin by Shayla Black Release Day
<a href="http://shayla.link/SAS"><img class="alignnone wp-image-9074 size-full" src="https://www.shaylablack.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SAS-RD2.jpg" alt="" width="851" height="315" /></a>
<h2><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://shayla.link/SAS"><img class="wp-image-9077 alignleft" src="https://www.shaylablack.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SmokeAndSin-Facebook.jpg" alt="" width="325" height="488" /></a></span></h2>
<strong><em>New York Times</em> Best Selling Authors Shayla Black and Lexi Blake invite you back into a world of passion and scandal.</strong>
More than a decade ago, Roman Calder had a scorching affair with the sister of one of his best friends. Augustine Spencer drove him so crazy he thought of nothing but her. The only thing they did more often than heat the sheets was fight. Unprepared for the intensity of their relationship, Roman broke things off and concentrated on things that made sense to him: his career and putting his best friend, Zack Hayes, in the White House.
Gus Spencer is known to Washington insiders as the president’s secret weapon. Gorgeous and brilliant, Gus runs the press pool with the determination of a shark. No one dares to cross her, not when she’s known for having a spine of steel…but long ago one man melted her down. Despite the fact that she’ll never forgive Roman for breaking her heart, now that they work together she can’t get him off her mind.
When a dangerous investigation leads both Roman and Gus to London, the heat between them becomes unbearable. As they begin to unravel an international conspiracy, they find themselves falling all over again. But when a killer threatens their world, can they fight to stay together or will the sins of their past keep them forever apart?
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2viJGCe">Kindle US</a> | <a href="http://amzn.to/2vzEeeX">Kindle UK</a> | <a href="http://shayla.link/SAS-Nook">Nook</a> | <a href="http://shayla.link/SAS-iBooks">iBooks</a> | <a href="http://bit.ly/SmokeandSinKobo">Kobo</a> | <a href="http://shayla.link/SAS-GoogleP">GooglePlay</a> | <a href="http://amzn.to/2v7XyhC">Amazon Print</a></h2>
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-9079 size-large" src="https://www.shaylablack.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SAS-Teaser5-v2-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" />
<a href="http://shayla.link/PGSeries"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-9084 size-large" src="https://www.shaylablack.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/PGAd2017-v1-1024x536.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="536" /></a>
<strong><a href="http://shaylablack.com/"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-13668" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ShaylaBlack-highres-202x300.jpg" alt="ShaylaBlack highres" width="202" height="300" /></a>ABOUT SHAYLA BLACK: </strong>
Shayla Black is the <em>New York Times</em> and <em>USA Today</em> bestselling author of more than fifty novels. For nearly twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/SBNewsletter">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="https://www.shaylablack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WEBSITE</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShaylaBlackAuthor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FACEBOOK</a> I <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shaylablack/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">INSTAGRAM</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/Shayla_Black" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TWITTER</a> I <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shaylablacksb/">PINTEREST</a> I <a href="https://plus.google.com/112445370769351993284" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GOOGLE+</a> I <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFM7RZF38CqBlr6YG3a4mRQ">YOUTUBE</a></p>
<strong><a href="http://lexiblake.net"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-13669" src="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Lexi_Blake1-300x218.jpg" alt="Lexi_Blake" width="300" height="218" /></a>ABOUT LEXI BLAKE: </strong>
<em>NY Times</em> and <em>USA Today</em> bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lexiblake.net/newsletter/">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="http://www.lexiblake.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WEBSITE</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorlexiblake/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FACEBOOK</a> I <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lexi4714/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">INSTAGRAM</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/authorlexiblake" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TWITTER</a> I <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/lexiblake39/">PINTEREST</a></pAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-83898974923522412142017-09-19T00:30:00.000-05:002017-09-19T00:30:13.703-05:00Alphas of Danger Anthology<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/FacebookBanner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-14510 size-large" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/FacebookBanner-1024x385.jpg" alt="" width="676" height="254" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/REVEAL-COVER-AlphasOfDanger.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-14511 size-large" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/REVEAL-COVER-AlphasOfDanger-674x1024.jpg" alt="" width="674" height="1024" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>** 2016's Alphas of Sin Anthology we've raised $5,000 to 4 Paws for Ability! We've been able to sponsor a puppy pen and not one but TWO puppies named Vixen & Frenzy. We will be following the journey of these two puppies to hopefully graduate and become service dogs to a family in need. You can come join our journey on our Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/onceuponanalpha">Once Upon An Alpha</a>. We are now BACK with Alphas of Danger, available NOW for a LIMITED TIME with ten bestselling authors and we hope you join us on the journey for 2017's Alphas of Danger with ten never-been-told stories by ten bestselling authors**</strong></span></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">COVER DESIGNER: COVER ME DARLING – <a href="https://www.facebook.com/covermedarling">MARISA-ROSE SHOR</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">PHOTOGRAPHER – <a href="https://www.wooden-gate-productions.com/">WOODEN GATE PRODUCTIONS </a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">MODEL – <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teamdean83/">JASE DEAN</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>ALL NET PROCEEDS OF SALES DONATED TO <a href="http://4pawsforability.org/">4 PAWS FOR ABILITY</a></strong></span></em></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Synopsis.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9436" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Synopsis.png" alt="Synopsis" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Happy-Ever-After has never been so <em>intoxicating</em>…</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Danger…</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When a man has beaten it, he becomes a hero.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Lust...</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When a woman tastes it, she is helpless to resist his pull.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Love…</strong></span></p>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It won’t come easily, especially between alpha men and their headstrong women. Threats lurk in the shadows, and the price for passion is often exacted with a bullet or a blade…but the sacrifice is worth it when devotion is the reward.</span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ten bestselling authors, masters of spine-tingling romantic suspense, bring you brand-new stories that will yank you to the edge of your seat and have your heart pounding as you turn the pages.</span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Best of all, the proceeds will benefit <em>4 Paws for Ability</em>, a worldwide agency that enriches the lives of children and veterans with disabilities by training and placing quality, task-trained service dogs.</span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Stories Contributed to Alphas of Danger:</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shaylablack.com/">SHAYLA BLACK - DEVOTED TO WICKED</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lexiblake.net/">LEXI BLAKE - COUNTDOWN</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://maricarr.com/">MARI CARR - POWER STRUGGLE</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KrisCookFanPage/">KRIS COOK - CIA COVERT TEAM: RAINBOW KNIGHTS (M/M)</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnissaGarciaAuthor/">ANISSA GARCIA - WITH A VENGEANCE</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kymgrosso.com/">KYM GROSSO - HARD ASSET</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jennajacob.com/">JENNA JACOB - REVENGE ON THE ROCKS</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kennedylayne.com/">KENNEDY LAYNE - SEDUCING DANGER</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/isabellalapearlpage/">ISABELLA LAPEARL - ENFORCE HER - A LEATHER, PIPES & PASSION SHORT STORY</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://carrieannryan.com/">CARRIE ANN RYAN - EXECUTIVE INK - A MONTGOMERY INK SHORT STORY</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>For more information about this nonprofit organization: http://4pawsforability.org/</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/12/OUAA_Header_PreOrder.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9887" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/12/OUAA_Header_PreOrder.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/AODiBOOKS">IBOOKS</a> I <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alphas-of-danger-shayla-black/1126371191?ean=2940154335925">BARNES & NOBLE</a> I <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/alphas-of-danger">KOBO</a> I <a href="http://amzn.to/2s0KJB7">AMAZON US</a> I <a href="http://amzn.to/2s0qNOJ">AMAZON UK</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Teaser.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9437" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/Teaser.png" alt="" width="225" height="103" /></a></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/Devoted-To-Wicked-Tease.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14937" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/Devoted-To-Wicked-Tease-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/CountdownTease.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14936" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/CountdownTease-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/PowerStruggleTease.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14942" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/PowerStruggleTease-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/CIACovertTeamTease.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14935" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/CIACovertTeamTease-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/WithAVengeanceTease1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14943" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/WithAVengeanceTease1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/HardAssetTease1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14940" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/HardAssetTease1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/RevengeOnTheRocksTease.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14944" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/RevengeOnTheRocksTease-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a><a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/EnforceHerTease.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14938" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/EnforceHerTease-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/ExecutiveInkTease2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14939" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/ExecutiveInkTease2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AboutTheAuthor.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9418" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/11/AboutTheAuthor.png" alt="AboutTheAuthor" width="225" height="103" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> SHAYLA BLACK</strong></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/10/ShaylaBlack-high-res.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-8965 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/10/ShaylaBlack-high-res-202x300.jpg" alt="ShaylaBlack high res" width="172" height="255" /></a>
Shayla Black is the <em>New York Times</em> and <em>USA Today</em> bestselling author of more than fifty novels. For nearly twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shaylablack.com/">W</a><a href="http://shaylablack.com/">EBSITE</a> I <a href="http://shayla.link/nwsltr">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShaylaBlackAuthor">FACEBOOK</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>LEXI BLAKE</strong></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/LexiBlake.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-14513 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/LexiBlake-300x218.jpg" alt="" width="232" height="169" /></a><em>New York Times</em> and <em>USA Today</em> bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lexiblake.net/">WEBSITE</a> I <a href="http://www.lexiblake.net/newsletter/">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorlexiblake/">FACEBOOK</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>MARI CARR</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/MariCarr.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-14514 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/MariCarr-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="229" height="229" /></a>Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list and on her thirty-fourth birthday, she set out to see that goal achieved. Too many years later, her computer is jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends and she has nearly eighty published works.</p>
Virginia native, Mari Carr is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller of contemporary erotic romance novels. With over one million copies of her books sold, Mari was the winner of the Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Plume award for her novella, Erotic Research.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://maricarr.com/">WEBSITE</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MariCarrWriter/app/100265896690345/">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MariCarrWriter/">FACEBOOK</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>KRIS COOK</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/KrisCook.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-14934 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/09/KrisCook-276x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="234" /></a>Though starting in straight erotic romance, Kris's total focus now is on gay romance. When asked why recently, his answer was "My muse finally came out of the closet. Isn't it about time? I've been out since I was twenty-five."</span></p>
<span style="font-size: medium;">A voracious reader, Kris loves many genres of fiction, but this writer's favorite books are romances that are edgy, sexy, with rich characters and unique challenges. Kris's influences include Anne Rice, JR Ward, Lexi Blake and Shayla Black.</span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Kris is also the co-host of Romance OUT Loud, an audio podcast that features some of the best voices in gay romance fiction like, Andrew Grey, Damon Suede, Kindle Alexander, Felice Stevens, L.A. Witt, Sarina Bowen, and more.</span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Kris is married to the love of his life - Stephen. </span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kriscook.net/">WEBSITE </a>I <a href="http://kriscook.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a79ea3218454d8f238bbf8965&id=5715f0faf3">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KrisCookFanPage/">FACEBOOK</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ANISSA GARCIA </strong></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2016/10/Anissa-Garcia.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-13251 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2016/10/Anissa-Garcia-300x300.jpg" alt="anissa-garcia" width="226" height="226" /></a>Anissa Garcia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications and English. She held an array of jobs including Public Relations Manager for Barnes and Noble. Wanting a change of pace, she attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and trained full-time in theatre for two years. After working in Hollywood as an actress and casting assistant, she relocated to Austin, Texas and began writing freelance for Cosmopolitan and other publications. Her first book, A Promise Kept, is available now. A Promise Made will be available November 2016. When not writing stories, watching movies, or drinking a latte, she loves to daydream about romantic fictional men.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.anissagarcia.com">WEBSITE</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnissaGarciaAuthor">FACEBOOK</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>KYM GROSSO</strong></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/KymGrosso.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-14516 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/KymGrosso-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="227" height="227" /></a>
Kym Grosso is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the erotic paranormal series, The Immortals of New Orleans, and the contemporary erotic suspense series, Club Altura. In addition to romance novels, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy. She is also a contributing essay author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum.
She lives in suburban Pennsylvania but has a not-so-secret desire to move to a beach in southern California where she can write while listening to the roar of the ocean. She holds a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and a MBA from Widener University. In a previous life, she was employed as a speech therapist, a health care consultant, and a product manager for a software company. In 2012, Kym published her first novel and today, is a full time indie romance author.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kymgrosso.com/">WEBSITE</a> I <a href="https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/s6j3b9">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KymGrossoBooks/">FACEBOOK</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>JENNA JACOB</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2014/10/jennajacob.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1073 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2014/10/jennajacob-300x223.jpg" alt="JennaJacob" width="218" height="162" /></a>USA Today Bestselling author Jenna Jacob paints a canvas of passion, romance, and humor as her Alpha men and the feisty women who love them unravel their souls and heal their scars to find their happily-ever-after kind of love. Heart-tugging, captivating, and steamy, Jenna’s books will surely leave you breathless and craving more.</p>
A mom of four grown children, Jenna and her Alpha-Hunk husband live in Kansas. Jenna loves books, Harleys, music, and camping. Jenna’s zany sense of humor and lack of filter exemplify her motto: Live. Laugh. Love.
Meet the wild and wicked family in her sultry series: The Doms of Genesis. Or become spellbound by the searing love connection between Raine, Hammer, and Liam in her continuing saga: The Doms of Her Life (co-written with the amazing Shayla Black and Isabella La Pearl). Journey with couples struggling to resolve their pasts to discover unbridled love and devotion in Jenna’s new contemporary series: Passionate Hearts.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennajacob.com">WEBSITE</a> I <a href="http://eepurl.com/N0kn9">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorjennajacob">FACEBOOK</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>KENNEDY LAYNE</strong></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/KennedyLayne.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-14517 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/KennedyLayne-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="201" height="201" /></a>Kennedy Layne is a USA Today bestselling author. She draws inspiration for her military romantic suspense novels in part from her not-so-secret second life as a wife of a retired Marine Master Sergeant. He doubles as her critique partner, beta reader, and military consultant. They live in the Midwest with their teenage son and menagerie of pets. The loyal dogs and mischievous cats appreciate her writing days as much as she does, usually curled up in front of the fireplace.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kennedylayne.com/">WEBSITE</a> I <a href="http://www.kennedylayne.com/newslettertext.html">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kennedylayneauthor/">FACEBOOK</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ISABELLA LAPEARL</strong></p>
<a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2016/10/IsabellaLaPearl.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-13253 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2016/10/IsabellaLaPearl-229x300.jpg" alt="isabellalapearl" width="202" height="264" /></a>
Isabella LaPearl is a USA Today bestselling author known for her collaboration with Shayla Black & Jenna Jacob for the Doms of Her Life Series. She enjoys writing sexy, erotic romance. A wife, mother, writer, reader and a love for riding motorcycles.
To say it's been an extraordinary journey thus far would be an understatement... what a rush! What a thrill to realize dreams and see them go from a seed to fruition. So for all you aspiring Authors, who like me, have a fire inside that burns brightly and demands to be sated by writing... Never give up.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/isabellalapearlpage/">FACEBOOK</a> I <a href="http://eepurl.com/D_Wrb">NEWSLETTER</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CARRIE ANN RYAN</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/CarrieAnnRyan.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-14518 alignleft" src="https://onceuponanalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2017/05/CarrieAnnRyan-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="189" height="284" /></a>Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since<span class="text_exposed_show">. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://carrieannryan.com/">WEBSITE</a> I <a href="http://carrieannryan.us4.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=4fd27cc0d4abd9691ecaa236e&id=de39f7f897">NEWSLETTER</a> I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CarrieAnnRyanAuthor/">FACEBOOK</a></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-6492646058865150242017-08-22T00:30:00.000-05:002017-08-22T00:30:27.822-05:00Happy First Anniversary Elizabeth SaFleur<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Inner Goddess wants to wish the awesome Elizabeth SaFleur</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b> a big Happy First Anniversary!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b> <span style="color: black;">And in honor of her anniversary,</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="color: black;">we have a little treat!</span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQZjf3HSpyghMYTOF6gNBKX9-kGMRE_cxFAkgbHxTN9BCmy4fmIAuuuY6tinlsQ0sa5pTG-mEcn8H3f_vOB_jJZKJv4KdbFIViGSszsWL36Zn7y5PrEFg1VC1X2KcBW_ZfxeDs9fK_F8/s1600/Elizabeth+SaFleur+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQZjf3HSpyghMYTOF6gNBKX9-kGMRE_cxFAkgbHxTN9BCmy4fmIAuuuY6tinlsQ0sa5pTG-mEcn8H3f_vOB_jJZKJv4KdbFIViGSszsWL36Zn7y5PrEFg1VC1X2KcBW_ZfxeDs9fK_F8/s320/Elizabeth+SaFleur+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="color: black;">How about a little excerpt from one of her hot books!</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">From PERFECT by Elizabeth SaFleur</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sometimes the perfect man is the one who’s most forbidden. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For ten long years, Isabella Santos denied she married the wrong man. After her husband’s death, fate gives her one more chance to connect with her perfect Master—Mark Santos, the brother of her late husband.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Excerpt:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Before Mark could swing one leg out of the car, Isabella slipped into the passenger seat and let out a long breath. He grasped her hand, which released a flood of well-being that wiped the tension she’d been holding for the last few hours.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Thank you for coming to get me.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You don’t ever have to thank me for getting you.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s kind of becoming a habit.” She laughed lightly. “Me, calling... and then you having to... well, thanks.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He looked at her strangely, then pulled into traffic. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When they pulled up to a red light, he reached over and slipped his hand in between her knees. “Hike that skirt up. Open your knees.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She jerked her head to take in his profile. “We’re in public.” Why did she bother stating the obvious? Like he would withdraw his command? Her stomach skipped. Yes, he just gave her a command. Did she care? Oh yes, she did. She cared a lot, and not in a bad way.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A long car horn sounded behind her, making her jump. The light had turned green. Mark didn’t move forward. His hand rested on her thigh, car horns now sounding a symphony behind them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She inched her skirt up until it bunched at the waist. He then pulled away slowly, ignoring the angry fist raised from a driver who impatiently circled around them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Isabella, have you been waiting for me?” His voice rasped.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Yes, I was outside when you—”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“No, I mean, waiting... </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">for this</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. For me to claim you.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, Dios mio. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark’s finger slipped under the elastic edge at her hipline. One slow swipe with his thumb along her inner thigh took her breath away. She didn’t need to touch herself to know he felt dampness. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Ella, Answer me.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Yes, sir."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQoORM8wWxV5hwf8j2Qe-nVELckaGgk1Cxw-IFCQeBoqTieOdCNzq_CX7bsyTsYj632rCTPDXd_yTm4BCyJHlsQuOpAbhVWqULVb-ku-fuxV8rzchcPSo2yDJImci4jtcmITK1my6Npo/s1600/Perfect+teaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQoORM8wWxV5hwf8j2Qe-nVELckaGgk1Cxw-IFCQeBoqTieOdCNzq_CX7bsyTsYj632rCTPDXd_yTm4BCyJHlsQuOpAbhVWqULVb-ku-fuxV8rzchcPSo2yDJImci4jtcmITK1my6Npo/s320/Perfect+teaser.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Order your copy today. <a href="http://amzn.to/2w7b5ab" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Follow Elizabeth on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethSaFleurAuthor/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-13565341850769020542017-05-18T00:30:00.000-05:002017-05-19T07:40:28.299-05:00Jane Grey by Nina Mason blog tour<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnspiN580YQnSbJIQeiDHEE-7nt6Q4wBZsCTMpEUJLwnerwC3i_2gBZLh_t-PIXsj0Sa-lq_mDAEgrIMHlSkZIcJ9bS6xSx1j1zKHIZ395KHz6sMwylQMjUtTOJHNIY4j6ueqGxDfD0lE/s1600/BogTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnspiN580YQnSbJIQeiDHEE-7nt6Q4wBZsCTMpEUJLwnerwC3i_2gBZLh_t-PIXsj0Sa-lq_mDAEgrIMHlSkZIcJ9bS6xSx1j1zKHIZ395KHz6sMwylQMjUtTOJHNIY4j6ueqGxDfD0lE/s640/BogTour.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDiLjo3WrjQq8VXwjXQ7uU1OFnI3Z5kiyGf8dKZqf3UGG0d10Qbm4VOPfARk0b0X7jgiVGgnLg8eg2Bv7OL_QxIG7cZIUtsPzG3Bu1F8kGjRivbDD6MZQuX7CL3lz1BMVZY7q5pNywe0/s1600/Jane+Grey+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDiLjo3WrjQq8VXwjXQ7uU1OFnI3Z5kiyGf8dKZqf3UGG0d10Qbm4VOPfARk0b0X7jgiVGgnLg8eg2Bv7OL_QxIG7cZIUtsPzG3Bu1F8kGjRivbDD6MZQuX7CL3lz1BMVZY7q5pNywe0/s320/Jane+Grey+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a>Today we're celebrating the release of <i>Jane Grey</i>, an historical romance in the style of the classics by Nina Mason. Set in France’s Loire Valley in 1850, <i>Jane Grey</i> tells the story of a frustrated painter and a beleaguered English governess who comes to France to tutor a flirtatious young heiress in the social graces. Jane Grey meets Matthew Brontë when he takes a spill from his horse near where she is walking—the same way Jane Eyre met Mr. Rochester in the book our Jane is reading at the time. Jane finds it uncannier still that Matthew is a cousin to the author of <i>Jane Eyre.</i><br />
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As the weeks pass, Jane and Matthew discover they have many shared interests. They seem perfect for each other apart from one significant snag: Matthew cannot marry without forfeiting his fortune, and Jane can only marry a man with the means to support her and her dependent relations back in England.<br />
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Will the strength of Jane and Matthew’s devotion be enough to overcome this seemingly unsolvable dilemma? Or will Jane be forced to choose her duty to her family over her own greatest desire?<br />
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<i>Jane Grey</i> is an original work with subtle shadings borrowed from Charlotte Brontë’s <i>Jane Eyre</i> and Anne Brontë’s <i>Agnes Grey.</i><br />
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<i>Here’s the blurb:</i></center>
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Matthew Brontë, a true romantic at heart, believes the only happiness in life is to love and be loved. And yet, he fears he lacks the capacity to love…until he meets Jane Grey. Jane, a humble English governess, seems perfect for Matthew, apart from one significant snag: Jane can only marry a man of means and Matthew must give up his fortune if and when he marries.<br />
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When faced with the choice between love and money, which will each of them choose?<br />
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<i>Here’s an excerpt:</i></center>
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“If you don’t mind my asking, was your relationship with the countess an affectionate one?”<br />
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“Hardly.”<br />
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Matthew’s candor pleased Jane on more than one level. “So, you didn’t love her?”<br />
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After an extended silence, he said, looking pained, “To be truthful, Miss Grey, I’ve never loved any woman—and often doubt myself capable of experiencing that most-coveted of emotions.”<br />
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His words crushed her hopes and brought more tears to her eyes. “Surely, you are wrong. For you strike me as a man of great passion.”<br />
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“I used to be.” His countenance grew even more sullen. “But now, my heart is like a tree in winter. Barren, leafless, and encrusted with ice.”<br />
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“Perhaps it will thaw when you meet the right woman,” she offered hopefully.<br />
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He brought his face very close to hers and, for a breathless moment, she thought he meant to kiss her. Instead, he said in a strained voice, “I probably should keep this to myself, but my cold heart has warmed some since making your acquaintance.”<br />
<br />
For several hellish-yet-heavenly moments, they sat together in silence. His mouth was so close to hers she could feel his breath warming her lips. As her heart leapt toward him, her body impulsively followed. Their mouths met ever so sweetly. Then, mortified by her forwardness, she jerked back and turned away.<br />
<br />
“Forgive me. I shouldn’t have been so presumptuous.”<br />
<br />
“There’s nothing to forgive,” he said. “I rather liked the feel of your mouth on mine.”<br />
<br />
She liked the feel of his, too—very much indeed—but carrying on like a common hussy would only lead to her ruin. “Perhaps we should return to the house and see if Cécile’s headache is any better.”<br />
<br />
“Yes,” he said with audible strain. “Perhaps we should at that.”<br />
<br />
He stood and offered her his arm. She took his coat sleeve between her gloved hands and let him lead her farther along the path. After they’d walked several paces, he said, “I don’t believe I’ve yet asked your favorite flower.”<br />
<br />
“No, you haven’t.”<br />
<br />
He waited a few moments before letting out a small laugh. “Will you not tell me what it is?”<br />
<br />
“Very well.” She released a sigh. “I shall tell you. As queer as it may seem, my favorite flower is bleeding heart.”<br />
<br />
He laughed, drew to a stop, and freed his arm from her grasp. Turning toward the bed to their right, he bent over the boxwood border and plucked several stems of the flower she’d named. Then, he offered the bouquet to her with a gallant bow. “Please allow me to offer you this humble token of my admiration.”<br />
<br />
She accepted the flowers with joy in her heart. It was foolish, perhaps, to experience so much elation in response to so simple an offering, but no man had ever given her anything before. He’d also demonstrated tremendous compassion when she told him about her family—and had admitted to liking the brief intimacy they’d shared.<br />
<br />
Might he have some feelings for her? Or was he just being kind? Oh—and what about his secret? She must take care not to let him turn her head, lest she end up brokenhearted when the truth came out.<br />
<br />
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Nina Mason, the author of eleven published books to date, is an incurable romantic who strives to write love stories that entertain and edify. A research fanatic, she goes to great lengths to ensure the locations and time periods in her books are accurately portrayed (and thanks the Powers That Be for the internet). Born and raised in Southern California, Ms. Mason lived in Oregon briefly before moving to Georgia, where she lives with her husband and college-bound daughter. When she isn't writing, she makes historic dolls, fairy babies, and putters in her garden.<br />
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<a href="http://ninamasonauthor@gmail.com/" target="_blank">Contact Nina</a><br />
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<a href="https://vr2.verticalresponse.com/s/authorninamasonsnewsletter" target="_blank">Subscribe to Nina's newsletter:</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-19015126633579465392017-04-27T00:30:00.000-05:002017-04-27T00:30:19.171-05:00Happy Release Day - Benn by Laurie Olerich<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-75c37f13-9c9c-a708-9a2a-4bd18d6f43d4" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Book title: Benn (Demons After Dark Book Two)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Series title: Demons After Dark</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Genre: Paranormal romance</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Release date: April 27, 2017</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Blurb: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Known
only as Trinity demons, they were stripped of their powers and
violently exiled from Hell. Wrongly accused of an unthinkable crime,
they’re left to survive with no memories and no weapons while a secret
society quietly plots Lucifer’s demise. All is not lost though. Between
some heavenly interference and the love of a few good women, the Trinity
just might make it home before all Hell breaks loose. The new series
continues with Benn and Lainey.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A
former shrink in SuperMax, Benn’s positive he’s lost his damn mind when
he wakes up in the body of an uptight antiquities professor. One glance
in the mirror and he knows he’s not in Hell anymore. After he’s brought
into Expat Security, he’s handed a mission he can’t refuse if he wants
to get home again. Live in Rome, raft into jungles, and risk life and
brand new limbs? Sounds like his idea of Heaven! There’s only one
problem. He can’t do the job without the help of a beautiful grad
student who can’t stand the sight of him. He may not remember their
past, but he’s ready to make their present a whole helluva lot more fun.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Grad
student Lainey Hayes has done everything she can to escape her mother’s
embarrassing world of psychics and palm readers. Throwing herself into
her studies, she’s perfectly happy until she’s assigned to a special
project with the egotistical, narrow-minded, and condescending Professor
Daniels. The smug academic discounts anything and everything related to
the paranormal--including her mother. The idea of spending months
tramping through ruins with him sounds like her vision of Hell, but
she’s shocked to discover this adrenaline junkie with a zest for life is
nothing like the jackass she remembered.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Excerpt:</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-42ac6370-9caa-01e9-f371-a7450fd1cd17" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Benn stripped on the dock and peered into the still blue water at his feet. It was truly an amazing color and so clear he couldn’t tell how deep it was. Walking forward a few feet, he sank to his waist with an unmanly sigh of pleasure. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, yeah. So good.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Slightly cool, the silky water flowed over his sticky skin and stiff muscles like satin sheets. He grabbed a fistful of sandy pebbles and scrubbed himself clean. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lainey met him on the dock with a towel and his pack. And a cup of coffee! She looked him over with pride in her eyes, and said, “Captain Eddie has a coffee maker. Which do you want first? The towel or the coffee?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Coffee, please.” He took the cup and savored every last drop while his ass dried the old fashioned way. “You look sexy as hell in those boots,” he told her when his brain was awake.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She twirled and plucked his empty cup out of his hand with a flourish. “Comfortable, waterproof boots are important in the jungle. It would be miserable to walk in wet shoes and they go well with the cargo shorts and t-shirt.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Very Indiana Jones-ish too. Thank Lucifer for movies on the plane. Now I know what you’re talking about. Come to think of it, maybe I should say ‘thank Raphael’. I wonder if he’d care. Note to self: Thank the boss for sending us a private jet this time. Much better than the commercial flight to Rome.” He opened his pack and dug out his clothes under her amused supervision. By the time he sat down to pull on his boots, she was eating him up with pure womanly appreciation and he stopped to ask why. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Crouching down to his level, she stroked her fingers over the two-day blond beard, and said sincerely, “I haven’t seen you naked in the light before. You’re gorgeous.” She ran her hands over his shoulders, down his back, and smiled wistfully. “All ripped and hard. Powerful and sexy. I’m a lucky woman.”</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He actually blushed. For the first time in a hundred years, he blushed. He kissed her fingertips and looked her in the eye. “We’ll have sex with the light on next time. I promise.” He got to his feet and slung the pack over his shoulder. “Clock’s ticking, babe. Let’s get this grand adventure started.”</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> About the author:</span></div>
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<br /><span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #d5d5d5;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Laurie Olerich is a
paranormal and the urban fantasy romance author. She loves to create
guilty pleasures full of exciting locations, roller coaster action,
strong, quirky heroines, and steaming hot heroes who’ll raise the
temperature in any room you’re in! Paranormal romance? Check! Urban
fantasy? Check! Romantic suspense? Check! Her <em>Primani</em> series
combines the best of the three. When not plotting, writing, or
fantasizing about her next hero, she’s planning parties, traveling the
world, and spending lazy nights with her son, her Dal pals, and friends.
Laurie spent most of her life in the Northeastern United States and in
Germany. She now lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her son and Dalmatian
duo, Domino and Rambo.<span> </span>Before throwing caution to the
wind and diving into a writing career, Laurie dedicated 20 years to a
career spent around men with guns and cool toys...this explains her
obsession with both! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">CONTACT INFO:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">NEWSLETTER http://eepurl.com/byhNDD</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE http://on.fb.me/18tuhhW</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">WEBSITE http://www.laurieolerich.com</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/laurieolerich/</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">TWITTER: http://twitter.com/LaurieOlerich</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/author/laurieolerich</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-79977999415141771272017-04-23T16:12:00.001-05:002017-04-23T16:12:53.083-05:00Benn by Laurie Olerich Coming Next Week<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-75c37f13-9c9c-a708-9a2a-4bd18d6f43d4" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Book title: Benn (Demons After Dark Book Two)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Series title: Demons After Dark</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Genre: Paranormal romance</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Release date: April 27, 2017</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Blurb: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Known only as Trinity demons, they were stripped of their powers and violently exiled from Hell. Wrongly accused of an unthinkable crime, they’re left to survive with no memories and no weapons while a secret society quietly plots Lucifer’s demise. All is not lost though. Between some heavenly interference and the love of a few good women, the Trinity just might make it home before all Hell breaks loose. The new series continues with Benn and Lainey.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A former shrink in SuperMax, Benn’s positive he’s lost his damn mind when he wakes up in the body of an uptight antiquities professor. One glance in the mirror and he knows he’s not in Hell anymore. After he’s brought into Expat Security, he’s handed a mission he can’t refuse if he wants to get home again. Live in Rome, raft into jungles, and risk life and brand new limbs? Sounds like his idea of Heaven! There’s only one problem. He can’t do the job without the help of a beautiful grad student who can’t stand the sight of him. He may not remember their past, but he’s ready to make their present a whole helluva lot more fun.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Grad student Lainey Hayes has done everything she can to escape her mother’s embarrassing world of psychics and palm readers. Throwing herself into her studies, she’s perfectly happy until she’s assigned to a special project with the egotistical, narrow-minded, and condescending Professor Daniels. The smug academic discounts anything and everything related to the paranormal--including her mother. The idea of spending months tramping through ruins with him sounds like her vision of Hell, but she’s shocked to discover this adrenaline junkie with a zest for life is nothing like the jackass she remembered.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4amEn6o_N7slngHeSqh9uN6BeWoiqMbGdg5ZeXTLH_gnkwK9-EjkTPHHmIsyOvP5l51C2Eas3TWAyZ_8mIAZLcd9_XTflJOjLUXkPMesLg8WDMYRAAtlzUhjrZmAQfJhCGXnM26qPN4/s1600/Benn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4amEn6o_N7slngHeSqh9uN6BeWoiqMbGdg5ZeXTLH_gnkwK9-EjkTPHHmIsyOvP5l51C2Eas3TWAyZ_8mIAZLcd9_XTflJOjLUXkPMesLg8WDMYRAAtlzUhjrZmAQfJhCGXnM26qPN4/s320/Benn.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Excerpt:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After rear-ending Lainey with an </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">oomph</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, Benn reached over her shoulder, his chest brushing her shoulder. He pointed at a half-wilted purple blossom clinging to a scraggly vine. “Unexpected beauty in the middle of all of this darkness,” he murmured wonderingly. “A gift from the gods.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The flower was lovely, but so alone in the gloom. It was already wilting and limp. How long before it shriveled on the vine and fell to ground? She felt a little sorry for the delicate thing. “It’s a shame no one can see her beauty. She’ll die in the dark unknown and unremembered.” She embraced the poetry of the moment with a whimsical smile.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Not so.” His supple muscles flexed against her shoulder when he wrapped his arms around her to pluck the blossom. “Turn around,” he ordered softly.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There wasn’t much room for that, but she wiggled sideways until they were almost face to face and she stood circled by his arms. His expression was unreadable for a moment and then he swept the flower beneath her nose, saying, “Breathe her perfume, Lainey. Let her scent fill your mind and nourish your soul. Now, she’ll be remembered. Her short life will matter.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Were they still talking about the flower? She wasn’t sure anymore. Their playful poetry suddenly seemed more intimate. Uncomfortably personal. She started to move away, but he stopped her with a warm palm against the small of her back. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Buy links:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2kdxnBh" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> <a href="http://apple.co/2oUXZY6" target="_blank">ITUNES</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/2oUP2xZ" target="_blank">BARNES&NOBLE </a> <a href="http://bit.ly/2oPaplS" target="_blank">KOBO </a><a href="http://bit.ly/2pI3yMc" target="_blank">SMASHWORDS</a></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFVLRHgKimTz_xGpCPDXzKQ2IzvGcJry2V0NgIfj_IvIGp9ou2fquvU8OHvi_I4Jo_zSPopK5rsahqlVb136KDh7rqkV6LaBOVAtdrowQAutp2FcvL3_qkypM9cjDpVm1ywGuq_ajkTc/s1600/10533314_858703947507189_8737853048704840048_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFVLRHgKimTz_xGpCPDXzKQ2IzvGcJry2V0NgIfj_IvIGp9ou2fquvU8OHvi_I4Jo_zSPopK5rsahqlVb136KDh7rqkV6LaBOVAtdrowQAutp2FcvL3_qkypM9cjDpVm1ywGuq_ajkTc/s320/10533314_858703947507189_8737853048704840048_o.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> About the author:</span></div>
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<br /><span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #d5d5d5;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Laurie Olerich is a
paranormal and the urban fantasy romance author. She loves to create
guilty pleasures full of exciting locations, roller coaster action,
strong, quirky heroines, and steaming hot heroes who’ll raise the
temperature in any room you’re in! Paranormal romance? Check! Urban
fantasy? Check! Romantic suspense? Check! Her <em>Primani</em> series
combines the best of the three. When not plotting, writing, or
fantasizing about her next hero, she’s planning parties, traveling the
world, and spending lazy nights with her son, her Dal pals, and friends.
Laurie spent most of her life in the Northeastern United States and in
Germany. She now lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her son and Dalmatian
duo, Domino and Rambo.<span> </span>Before throwing caution to the
wind and diving into a writing career, Laurie dedicated 20 years to a
career spent around men with guns and cool toys...this explains her
obsession with both! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">CONTACT INFO:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">NEWSLETTER http://eepurl.com/byhNDD</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE http://on.fb.me/18tuhhW</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">WEBSITE http://www.laurieolerich.com</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/laurieolerich/</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">TWITTER: http://twitter.com/LaurieOlerich</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/author/laurieolerich</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-1557363839960920622017-04-21T08:10:00.000-05:002017-04-21T08:10:23.027-05:00Provocative by Lisa Renee Jones Blog Tour<img alt="SBPRBanner-PROVOCATIVE-BT" class=" size-full wp-image-1732 aligncenter" height="236" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/sbprbanner-provocative-bt.jpg" width="640" />
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Provocative (White Lies Book One) by Lisa Renee Jones
Release Date: April 18th
Genre: Contemporary Romance</h3>
<img alt="Provocative Final Border 4.07.17 PM" class=" size-full wp-image-1660 aligncenter" height="640" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/provocative-final-border-4-07-17-pm1.jpg" width="422" />
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<b><i>Book one in the sexy and intense new White Lies duet by Lisa Renee Jones! </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i> </i></b>There are those moments in life that are provocative in their very existences, that embed in our minds forever, and sometimes our very souls. They change us, mold us, maybe even save save us. But some are darker, dangerous. If we allow them to, they control us. Seduce us. Quite possibly even destroy us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The moment I walked into Sonoma’s Reid Winter Winery and Vineyard and made eye contact with Faith Winter for the first time was one of those moments. Provocative because I know at least one of her secrets, of which, I suspect she has many. Provocative because she believes I was a stranger to her when we met, but I am not. Provocative because I sought her out, with no intention of touching her. But now I have. Now I want her. Now I have to have her. But that changes nothing. It doesn’t change why I came for her.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: </b></h3>
Hi everyone!
I’m so excited that PROVOCATIVE is available now! Just a few notes: if you order PROVOCATIVE <b>this week only</b> you will get $1 off and it will only be $2.99 - I will be increasing this price at the end of the week! You’ll also receive the FREE novella Rebecca’s Forgotten Journals (these are NEW journal entries) in the back of your copy!
PS - if you missed your chance to receive any of my bonus scenes from Amy & Liam, Chris & Sara, or Ella & Kayden, this is your last chance to get them! Register your order of PROVOCATIVE here - <a href="http://bit.ly/2pkQ49b">http://bit.ly/2pkQ49b</a> and you’ll receive them early next week!
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Check out the Trailer: </b><a href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeTrailer"><b>http://bit.ly/ProvocativeTrailer</b></a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>READ CHAPTER ONE ➜ </b><a href="http://lisareneejones.com/duet"><b>http://lisareneejones.com/duet</b></a></h3>
<b> <img alt="Available Now" class=" size-full wp-image-1734 aligncenter" height="334" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/available-now1.jpg" width="640" /></b>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Read PROVOCATIVE Today!</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon US: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2oQf8nK&h=ATPwDr2JNTydqQMPnLLoxYBF7aDdd7QVdvXQdSFIeoNjtzf_3GCeP_UdtbQo79NX2R2RnyxgFOWk4is2ZsKixaSE4Kz_oFu_OAsHlsso1WX74YQv07jmRgK80c_TRjnWAwjpguHXWik">http://amzn.to/2oQf8nK</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon UK: : <a href="https://goo.gl/30ESH1">https://goo.gl/30ESH1</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B&N: <a href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
iBooks: <a href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBooks">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBooks</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kobo: <a href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602810-provocative">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602810-provocative</a></div>
<img alt="Elegant handsome man in suit." class=" size-full wp-image-1733 aligncenter" height="338" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/done_available.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Book two: SHAMELESS will be out on July 11th!</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon US: <a href="http://bit.ly/ShamelessAmazon">http://bit.ly/ShamelessAmazon</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon UK: <a href="http://bit.ly/ShamelessAmazonUK">http://bit.ly/ShamelessAmazonUK</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B&N: <a href="http://bit.ly/Shameless_BN">http://bit.ly/Shameless_BN</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
iBooks: <a href="http://bit.ly/ShamelessiBooks">http://bit.ly/ShamelessiBooks</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kobo: <a href="http://bit.ly/Shameless_Kobo">http://bit.ly/Shameless_Kobo</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602828-shameless">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602828-shameless</a></div>
<b> </b>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>GIVEAWAY</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Prize:</b> $100 Amazon gift card</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e837c2b0296" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e837c2b0296/" id="rcwidget_vslccbmr" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
<b> </b>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>About the Author: </b></h3>
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy - a modern girl we all can identify with.
In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, Lisa has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lisareneejones.com%2F&h=ATM0m4K8G4e8CWkMN-_L3NxbNyOeZO8i2GKqYDvvLVobyMCA9EO9Oi1j6jDqO9A1V0wCuncgTdXg_j7k_XALQ_GcMJnzHsPbxu0l7dhRdTSTKLW9QOA5ffI8wYvevY2XEhM_7E-bxMAuE-iiSaL9x31gNQ&s=1"><b>www.lisareneejones.com</b></a> and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.
<img alt="Lisa Renee Jones Author Pic" class=" size-full wp-image-1661 aligncenter" height="640" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lisa-renee-jones-author-pic1.jpg" width="451" />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Connect with the Author:</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaReneeJones/">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaReneeJones/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon: <a href="http://amzn.to/2kWFra1">http://amzn.to/2kWFra1</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Twitter: @LisaReneeJones</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stay in touch with Lisa by joining her mailing list:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lisareneejones.com/newsletter-sign-up/">http://lisareneejones.com/newsletter-sign-up/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Website: <a href="http://lisareneejones.com/">http://lisareneejones.com</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-26321374352244890322017-04-19T08:08:00.000-05:002017-04-19T08:08:10.982-05:00Provocative by Lisa Renee Jones<img alt="LRJreleasebanner" class=" size-full wp-image-1657 aligncenter" height="235" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lrjreleasebanner.png" width="640" />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Provocative (White Lies Book One) by Lisa Renee Jones
Release Date: April 18th
Genre: Contemporary Romance</h3>
<img alt="Provocative Final Border 4.07.17 PM" class=" size-full wp-image-1660 aligncenter" height="640" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/provocative-final-border-4-07-17-pm1.jpg" width="422" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Book one in the sexy and intense new White Lies duet by Lisa Renee Jones! </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are those moments in life that are provocative in their very existences, that embed in our minds forever, and sometimes our very souls. They change us, mold us, maybe even save save us. But some are darker, dangerous. If we allow them to, they control us. Seduce us. Quite possibly even destroy us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The moment I walked into Sonoma’s Reid Winter Winery and Vineyard and made eye contact with Faith Winter for the first time was one of those moments. Provocative because I know at least one of her secrets, of which, I suspect she has many. Provocative because she believes I was a stranger to her when we met, but I am not. Provocative because I sought her out, with no intention of touching her. But now I have. Now I want her. Now I have to have her. But that changes nothing. It doesn’t change why I came for her.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: </b></h3>
Hi everyone!
I’m so excited that PROVOCATIVE is available now! Just a few notes: if you order PROVOCATIVE <b>this week only</b> you will get $1 off and it will only be $2.99 - I will be increasing this price at the end of the week! You’ll also receive the FREE novella Rebecca’s Forgotten Journals (these are NEW journal entries) in the back of your copy!
PS - if you missed your chance to receive any of my bonus scenes from Amy & Liam, Chris & Sara, or Ella & Kayden, this is your last chance to get them! Register your order of PROVOCATIVE here - <a href="http://bit.ly/2pkQ49b">http://bit.ly/2pkQ49b</a> and you’ll receive them early next week!
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Check out the Trailer: </b><a href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeTrailer"><b>http://bit.ly/ProvocativeTrailer</b></a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>READ CHAPTER ONE ➜ </b><a href="http://lisareneejones.com/duet"><b>http://lisareneejones.com/duet</b></a></h3>
<img alt="Available Now.jpg" class=" size-full wp-image-1666 aligncenter" height="334" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/available-now.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Read PROVOCATIVE Today!</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon US:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon UK:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B&N: <a href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
iBooks: <a href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBooks">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBooks</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kobo: <a href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602810-provocative">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602810-provocative</a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Book two: SHAMELESS will be out on July 11th!</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon US: <a href="http://bit.ly/ShamelessAmazon">http://bit.ly/ShamelessAmazon</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon UK: <a href="http://bit.ly/ShamelessAmazonUK">http://bit.ly/ShamelessAmazonUK</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B&N: <a href="http://bit.ly/Shameless_BN">http://bit.ly/Shameless_BN</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
iBooks: <a href="http://bit.ly/ShamelessiBooks">http://bit.ly/ShamelessiBooks</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kobo: <a href="http://bit.ly/Shameless_Kobo">http://bit.ly/Shameless_Kobo</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602828-shameless">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602828-shameless</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <img alt="Touching" class=" size-full wp-image-1673 aligncenter" height="365" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/touching.jpg" width="640" /></b></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>GIVEAWAY</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Prize:</b> $100 Amazon gift card</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e837c2b0296" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e837c2b0296/" id="rcwidget_vslccbmr" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<b> </b>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>About the Author: </b></h3>
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy - a modern girl we all can identify with.
In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, Lisa has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lisareneejones.com%2F&h=ATM0m4K8G4e8CWkMN-_L3NxbNyOeZO8i2GKqYDvvLVobyMCA9EO9Oi1j6jDqO9A1V0wCuncgTdXg_j7k_XALQ_GcMJnzHsPbxu0l7dhRdTSTKLW9QOA5ffI8wYvevY2XEhM_7E-bxMAuE-iiSaL9x31gNQ&s=1"><b>www.lisareneejones.com</b></a> and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.
<img alt="Lisa Renee Jones Author Pic" class=" size-full wp-image-1661 aligncenter" height="640" src="https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lisa-renee-jones-author-pic1.jpg" width="451" />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Connect with the Author:</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaReneeJones/">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaReneeJones/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon: <a href="http://amzn.to/2kWFra1">http://amzn.to/2kWFra1</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Twitter: @LisaReneeJones</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stay in touch with Lisa by joining her mailing list:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lisareneejones.com/newsletter-sign-up/">http://lisareneejones.com/newsletter-sign-up/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Website: <a href="http://lisareneejones.com/">http://lisareneejones.com</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-28509442820291454282017-04-06T01:00:00.000-05:002017-04-06T01:00:06.701-05:00Benn by Laurie Olerich<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coming <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Soon!</span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Demons
After Dark: A Primani World Crossover Series </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Benn</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Known
only as Trinity demons, they were stripped of their powers and
violently exiled from Hell. Wrongly accused of an unthinkable crime,
they’re left to survive with no memories and no weapons while a
secret society quietly plots Lucifer’s demise. All is not lost
though. Between some heavenly interference and the love of a few
good women, the Trinity just might make it home before all Hell
breaks loose. The new series continues with Benn and Lainey.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbB0k8j2yLwXfsD3IvgD4951sHmQx54cd3sri8l02rjTWFlqfM5rl7dgjbxWmnNWXFEUtt3Yh7rmbiQqTAM1btPMm5UDoQMP7ebRveKctHQCjTbriRkCpePoiKovIqHnVkod-9SEDsuAU/s1600/Benn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbB0k8j2yLwXfsD3IvgD4951sHmQx54cd3sri8l02rjTWFlqfM5rl7dgjbxWmnNWXFEUtt3Yh7rmbiQqTAM1btPMm5UDoQMP7ebRveKctHQCjTbriRkCpePoiKovIqHnVkod-9SEDsuAU/s400/Benn.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
former shrink in SuperMax, Benn’s positive he’s lost his damn
mind when he wakes up in the body of an uptight antiquities
professor. One glance in the mirror and he knows he’s not in Hell
anymore. After he’s brought into Expat Security, he’s handed a
mission he can’t refuse if he wants to get home again. Hike into
deserts, raft into jungles, and risk life and brand new limbs?
Sounds like his idea of Heaven! There’s only one problem. He can’t
do the job without the help of a beautiful grad student who can’t
stand the sight of him. He may not remember their past, but he’s
ready to make their present a whole helluva lot more fun.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grad
student Lainey Hayes has done everything she can to escape her
mother’s embarrassing world of psychics and palm readers. Throwing
herself into her studies, she’s perfectly happy until she’s
assigned to a special project with the egotistical, narrow-minded,
and condescending Professor Daniels. The smug academic discounts
anything and everything related to the paranormal--including her
mother. The idea of spending months tramping through ruins with him
sounds like her vision of Hell, but she’s shocked to discover this
adrenaline junkie with a zest for life is nothing like the jackass
she remembered.</span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="m_-5812459842918235500yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491226383174_2992"></a>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="m_-5812459842918235500yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491226383174_29922"></a>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Releasing a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t the end <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">of <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">April, preorder below.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Buy <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Links:</span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #741b47;">AMAZON</span> ITUNES <span style="color: #cc0000;">BARNES&NOBLE </span>KOBO <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/699630" target="_blank">SMASHWORDS</a><br />
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Laurie
Olerich, Author</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance: strong women, hot men, and a little
extra spark</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sample
or purchase the </span></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Primani
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">series at
all major on-line retailers!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's
connect!<br />
Web site: <a href="http://www.laurieolerich.com/" target="_blank">http://www.laurieolerich.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Twitter:
@LaurieOlerich</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-10476658887696570562017-04-05T08:20:00.000-05:002017-04-05T08:20:12.205-05:00Provocative by Lisa Renee Jones is Coming<div style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Provocative by Lisa Renee Jones is coming <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1548603301" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">April 18th</span></span>!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">
<span id="m_8922971399142212905gmail-m_-3887128284358582116gmail-docs-internal-guid-139d37c4-f767-389e-e742-0508d24196f3"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-Order PROVOCATIVE Today!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Special $2.99 pre-order price - will increase after release!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon alert: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bit.ly/ProvocativeAmazonAlert&source=gmail&ust=1491441464329000&usg=AFQjCNGMRWJUiCdor4Ef-WpVTMynD-B0Ww" href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeAmazonAlert" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeAmazo<wbr></wbr>nAlert</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B&N: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN&source=gmail&ust=1491441464329000&usg=AFQjCNHeHYcMGGGOxNYj33a1qZOjDjRbGg" href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">iBooks: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBooks&source=gmail&ust=1491441464329000&usg=AFQjCNGwMoGAlaKjkZcKIA-eXwKwatrlSw" href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBooks" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBook<wbr></wbr>s</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kobo: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo&source=gmail&ust=1491441464329000&usg=AFQjCNGAOFoHPpRui5fIvRsfc3_Kax55LA" href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602810-provocative&source=gmail&ust=1491441464329000&usg=AFQjCNHW4M-ecxl1kxExkSubTKohXFgSqQ" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602810-provocative" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/book<wbr></wbr>/show/34602810-provocative</span></a></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book two: SHAMELESS will be out on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1548603302" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">July 11th</span></span>!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-Order notification:</span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bit.ly/2nocwgZ&source=gmail&ust=1491441464329000&usg=AFQjCNGsAurufj8KhsgB9qx8rjOZJFQVoQ" href="http://bit.ly/2nocwgZ" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/2no<wbr></wbr>cwgZ</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602828-shameless&source=gmail&ust=1491441464329000&usg=AFQjCNGsM_gDkGCGuGVh98rdTHgbfh0GTA" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602828-shameless" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/book<wbr></wbr>/show/34602828-shameless</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-23236309452363656082017-03-29T09:00:00.000-05:002017-03-29T09:00:00.924-05:00Provocative by Lisa Renee Jones<div class="gmail_msg" style="color: #313131; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; word-spacing: 1px;">
<span class="gmail_msg" style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: medium;">Provocative by Lisa Renee Jones is coming <span class="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-aBn gmail_msg"><span class="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-aQJ gmail_msg"><span class="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-aBn gmail_msg"><span class="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-aQJ gmail_msg">April 18th</span></span></span></span>!</span></div>
<div class="gmail_msg" style="color: #313131; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; word-spacing: 1px;">
<span class="gmail_msg" style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span class="gmail_msg" style="background-color: yellow;"><br class="gmail_msg" /></span></span></div>
<div class="gmail_msg" style="color: #313131; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; word-spacing: 1px;">
<span class="gmail_msg" id="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-m_3560467478532891621gmail-docs-internal-guid-139d37c4-f767-389e-e742-0508d24196f3"></span><br />
<div class="gmail_msg" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span class="gmail_msg" id="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-m_3560467478532891621gmail-docs-internal-guid-139d37c4-f767-389e-e742-0508d24196f3"><span class="gmail_msg" style="color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-Order PROVOCATIVE Today!</span></span></div>
<span class="gmail_msg" id="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-m_3560467478532891621gmail-docs-internal-guid-139d37c4-f767-389e-e742-0508d24196f3">
</span>
<br />
<div class="gmail_msg" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span class="gmail_msg" id="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-m_3560467478532891621gmail-docs-internal-guid-139d37c4-f767-389e-e742-0508d24196f3"><span class="gmail_msg" style="color: black; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Special $2.99 pre-order price - will increase after release!</span></span></div>
<span class="gmail_msg" id="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-m_3560467478532891621gmail-docs-internal-guid-139d37c4-f767-389e-e742-0508d24196f3">
</span>
<div class="gmail_msg" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span class="gmail_msg" id="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-m_3560467478532891621gmail-docs-internal-guid-139d37c4-f767-389e-e742-0508d24196f3"><span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon alert: </span><a class="gmail_msg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bit.ly/ProvocativeAmazonAlert&source=gmail&ust=1490818259552000&usg=AFQjCNFtltK_Q_1wf7LCPM-D4OvDBh4thQ" href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeAmazonAlert" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeAmazo<wbr></wbr>nAlert</span></a></span></div>
<span class="gmail_msg" id="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-m_3560467478532891621gmail-docs-internal-guid-139d37c4-f767-389e-e742-0508d24196f3">
<div class="gmail_msg" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B&N: </span><a class="gmail_msg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN&source=gmail&ust=1490818259552000&usg=AFQjCNEwu56vTTPDAx7NlJ2-uCExjL2OCw" href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeBN</span></a></div>
<div class="gmail_msg" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">iBooks: </span><a class="gmail_msg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBooks&source=gmail&ust=1490818259552000&usg=AFQjCNGhWXc62dKCoL0keVK32MY5A3x0-w" href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBooks" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeiBook<wbr></wbr>s</span></a></div>
<div class="gmail_msg" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kobo: </span><a class="gmail_msg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo&source=gmail&ust=1490818259552000&usg=AFQjCNGXaJ97-cNlpUpREjOmmQxp7yOLsQ" href="http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/ProvocativeKobo</span></a></div>
<div class="gmail_msg" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads: </span><a class="gmail_msg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602810-provocative&source=gmail&ust=1490818259552000&usg=AFQjCNHG2qPEEGLOnZtfDa71lugj4L7qqw" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602810-provocative" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/book<wbr></wbr>/show/34602810-provocative</span></a></div>
<br class="gmail_msg" /><div class="gmail_msg" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book two: SHAMELESS will be out on <span class="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-aBn gmail_msg"><span class="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-m_-6622708301407255922gmail-aQJ gmail_msg"><span class="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-aBn gmail_msg"><span class="m_-5419296782030264114gmail-aQJ gmail_msg">July 11th</span></span></span></span>!</span></div>
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<span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-Order notification:</span><a class="gmail_msg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bit.ly/2nocwgZ&source=gmail&ust=1490818259552000&usg=AFQjCNHEyIAVihi_3qI9I94phwFWA8HNRw" href="http://bit.ly/2nocwgZ" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://bit.ly/2no<wbr></wbr>cwgZ</span></a></div>
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<span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads: </span><a class="gmail_msg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602828-shameless&source=gmail&ust=1490818259552000&usg=AFQjCNE95wO6E12OXAJrF56WnnfKgY5YLg" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34602828-shameless" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="gmail_msg" style="font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/book<wbr></wbr>/show/34602828-shameless</span></a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-83758523161543063302017-03-13T22:12:00.000-05:002017-03-14T21:55:28.256-05:00Dress Blues by Lisa Carlisle<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-1405a2e0-caca-da76-ded9-a05dee47233b" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dress Blues (a second chance military romance)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Recalled to Love book 2 (each book can be read as a standalone)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lisa Carlisle</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Genre: Contemporary romance</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Publisher: Lisa Carlisle</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Date of Publication: March 13, 2017</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ASIN: B06XDHLDSL</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Number of pages: 99 pages</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Word Count: 34k</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Buy Links:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Amazon: </span><a href="http://amzn.to/2mpKvEL" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://amzn.to/2mpKvEL</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Goodreads: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Book Description:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sometimes, it all comes down to timing…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Volunteering at a cat shelter is much calmer than the adrenaline-fueled skirmishes of Vivi Parker’s last deployment in the Marines, but her limp is a constant reminder of what she endured. The shelter is her sanctuary, her one relief from memories that haunt her. At a fundraiser, she runs into a man she could never have while she served, but had never forgotten.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Active duty had its challenges, but starting over as a civilian in Boston is more difficult than Jack Conroy anticipated. When his mom and sister drag him to a cat benefit, he never expects to see a woman he last saw wearing Dress Blues.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Vivi fears she’s no longer the woman Jack was drawn to, able to tackle rock climbing walls or other outdoor challenges. And Jack has decisions he must face.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Military rules forbade their burgeoning passion. But now, years later, the rules have changed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yet, so have they. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Is it ever too late for a second chance at love? </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="HomeForGood.png" height="523" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fg7RgOQ1lcMdKe88h6OloEBuRQ_mY01au7btd9DJB8vHsCzsHenaVQBmxkjPPFp5gk5e7wiY7_0oXumnvLQsKmMQ2hnFRQHUViSgQ_n4HBgBdptuluCR8NAvp3PaRrAjBsKkZMmv" style="border: medium none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="624" /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Excerpt</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“How about that dance?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Vivi sucked in a breath. The moment she'd both anticipated and feared was here.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Sure.” She feigned indifference, terrified her pounding heartbeat would give her away.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He took her hand and led her out onto the main floor. It was as if sparks ignited where they touched. The way she heated up from that small gesture was nothing short of exhilarating. Forget dancing, it was a wonder she could put one foot in front of the other.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Will you get a grip? When you met him, you were in the Marines, a tough-ass warrior. Not some teenager with a crush.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She'd been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed what was playing, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A Kiss to Build a Dream On</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, sung by Louis Armstrong.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jack turned to her and dropped his hand to her lower back, pulling her toward him. Although she yearned to close the remaining space between them, she kept her expression neutral. She wrapped one arm around him and followed his lead.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Being supported by Jack took some of the pressure off her injured leg. She moved so lightly on her feet, rather than the usual encumbrance on her left leg, like she was dragging an anchor around.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She was dancing. Dancing!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Neither spoke, but energy sizzled between them. Or maybe she was imagining it. It was hard to tell. It was even harder to breathe. He was so achingly close she could barely function. Whatever his scent was, it teased her with a faint, delicious hint of male musk. Aftershave or something. If she leaned toward his neck, she could drink it in deeper…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I remember seeing you in Dress Blues.” When he glanced at her, his eyes twinkled. “And now you're wearing a blue dress.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She stumbled on hearing those words, but steadied herself, hopefully before he noticed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You okay?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No such luck. “Yes,” she stammered. “I haven't worn these shoes in a while. Or danced.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We were supposed to dance that night. We never had the chance. So, this is long overdue.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He remembered. She exhaled. He hadn’t forgotten after all this time, as she’d feared. After all, they’d never had a chance to be together. As soon as they'd inched closer, they'd been torn apart.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Early Reviews</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2VKLRFBY67443/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B06XDHLDSL" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">A Fun Contemporary Romance Must Read!</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wow! Dress Blues is an awesome, fun, short must read in contemporary romantic fiction with a side of hot military characters and some sweet, fuzzy furballs! ... Lisa Carlisle always hooks me from the first page, to where I don't want to stop reading until I'm done, but then leaves me wanting more :o lol ... This has a fresh storyline, great descriptions and witty dialogue that will engage readers & keep pages turning! And who doesn't love second chances with a HEA, right?! I highly recommend this & can't wait to read more from this author!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Connect with Lisa</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Visit</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a href="http://www.lisacarlislebooks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">lisacarlislebooks.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">for more and to sign up for new releases, freebies, and specials!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-69731470877559223182017-03-02T00:29:00.000-06:002017-03-02T00:29:12.403-06:00A Wild Wicked Weekend with BFFs<br />
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<b>Masquerade Night at Wild Wicked Weekend</b></div>
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Last week was Wild Wicked Weekend and TinkNCognito and I spent some rowdy times drinking, dancing, and receiving dances. There were games, prizes and late night maracas (security may or may not have been called). And we did this with our friends, readers and authors alike. <br />
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We love Dick's on the Riverwalk, where Lori King got a table dance from the waiter while a mariachi band played. We enjoyed several drinks with the rest of the Brat Pack in attendance. Lori King just recently released Paw Prints on Her Heart, a stand-alone in the Crawley Creek Ranch. Lori gave us some awesome swag, including a tattoo heart that I wore to accent my, ummm, heart. In this book, Payton Storm served her country with honor until an IED ended her career and scarred her for life. Struggling to overcome PTSD, she agrees to a long-term stay at Crawley Creek Ranch under the care of a PTSD specialist. Single father, Luke Gillian, has been the Montford veterinarian for most of his adult life. In fact, he's barely left the town he grew up in. A ray of sunshine appears in his life with her injured service dog. Could Payton be the change his life needs? <br />You'll have to read to find out! <br />
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Prints-Heart-Crawley-Creek-Ranch-ebook/dp/B01MFDYSA6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Paw Prints on Her Heart Amazon link</a></b></div>
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Most days and nights, I was hanging out with some pretty awesome authors. <b>Laurie Olerich</b> writes Primani stories about Angels who give Black Dagger Brotherhood a run for their money. <b> Elizabeth SaFleur</b> writes The Elite Doms of Washington stories set in Washington, DC, with BDSM elements. She excels at the cute-meet! <b>Victoria Saccenti's</b> Destiny series is about two sisters coming of age against the turmoil of the late 60's/early 70's as they juggle traditional and modern values. <b>Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra</b> is winning her awards for her suspenseful mysteries and émigré short stories. I'm telling you--it was never a dull moment. </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Laurie-Olerich/e/B00H7KJQS8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1488433969&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Laurie Olerich</span></b></a></div>
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Book 1 and 2 are currently FREE on Kindle!</div>
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Holiday Ties is currently FREE on Kindle!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Saccenti/e/B013H2XYPK/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1488435173&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank">Victoria Saccenti</a></span></div>
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The Destiny's Series</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maria-Elena-Alonso-Sierra/e/B00K8G2PWW/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1488435603&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank">Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra</a></span></div>
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Award winning author of Coins/Hours Cycle</div>
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Inner Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171862566085690040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-80441222085856479732017-02-28T22:34:00.001-06:002017-02-28T22:34:57.439-06:00Sex-Position Gumby and Unmasked Secrets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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TinkNCognito and I just returned from a funtastic time at the annual Wild Wicked Weekend in San Antonio. I can't wait to tell you all about it. One of our favorite programs is Sex-Position Gumby. Authors read scenes from their novels and people act them out. By people I mean an audience member and her chosen hottie host (male dancers and cover models). And despite Dalton Diaz's reminder of the "1 inch" rule, it gets pretty crazy. <br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unmasked-Secrets-Strip-Club-Women-ebook/dp/B01MU5JTDF/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1488341622&sr=8-2&keywords=brenna+zinn" target="_blank">Unmasked Secrets Amazon Link</a></div>
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This year two of the hottest scenes came from Brenna Zinn's recently released novel Unmasked Secrets, a standalone read in the Strip Club for Women series, which follows the employees of Austin's male strip club Iron Rods as they find their HEA. In this second book, the male stripper is a teacher trying to raise money for his school's drama program when his ball buster principal visits the club. His Dom persona is just what Hannah needs to relax. Can she explore her BDSM fantasies with this masked stranger? Can he risk discovery? <br />
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In the Gumby game, the role of masked Mack was portrayed by 6,4" real life stripper Blake. Oh is he yummy! Now Mack uses this really bad Scottish accent to hide his identity, which helps to lighten his serious Dom persona. The first scene covered their meeting in the club, and the second followed them to a rendezvous. This is a fun and seriously sexy hot read!!! It just released 10 days ago, so get it while it's hot off the press. <br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Rods-Strip-Club-Women-ebook/dp/B01MS29R05/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Iron Rods Amazon Link</a></div>
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And while you're at it, grab the 1st book in the series Iron Rods. You'll love the dance between bar owner and manager. During the golden age of Austin, Texas, women came from miles around to mix fantasy with flesh at Iron Rods strip club. But time moved on, leaving the club in disrepair and the dancers in sorry shape. Bennett Truitt, estranged son of the club’s aging and half-crazy owner, wants to replace the local landmark with shiny new condos against his father’s wishes. His Trojan horse is feisty Tatum Reynolds, his new hire as manager of the failing establishment. He’s sure she’s the train wreck he needs to run the business into its grave, but never underestimate the stubborn determination of a down-on-her-luck Texas woman.<br /><br />After another rejection letter, Tatum stares fate in the eye and realizes she’ll never be a professional dancer on or off Broadway. Out of options, she accepts Bennett’s job offer to manage the strip club and is determined to return the run-down Iron Rods to its glory days, no matter what or who stands in her way – even if it means going toe-to-toe with the boss’ son.<br />
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Can't wait to see what sexy scenes will be read at next year's Sex-Position Gumby at Wild Wicked Weekend. Thanks to authors Brenna Zinn, Dalton Diaz, Desiree Holt, Samantha Cayto, and Elle James for a great weekend getaway! Is 2018 registration open yet?Inner Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171862566085690040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-3155342870052467072017-02-27T20:21:00.000-06:002017-02-27T20:23:39.727-06:00Desserts spelled backwards is Stressed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">That moment when you see yourself in a book.</span></b></div>
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I may have disappeared from the internet, but not from reading. Over the last few months I've been reading a few series. I haven't always had time to read a whole series, even though I loved the initial book I had read. But over the last few months I have read several series. </div>
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I was drawn to a particularly dark series with a completely decadent hero: an assassin for a crime lord. Yummy stuff! Zeth defines Tall, Dark, and Deadly. An awesome physique. and Dayummmm can the man F#$@* like a beast. Deviant is the first book in The Blood & Roses series by Callie Hart. In the series, Zeth is drawn to Sloane, who is searching for her missing sister. The journey includes various encounters within the underworld. Sloane is an ER doctor at the local hospital. Her sister disappeared while she was in medical school. Zeth is her connection to the mystery, but he is also the only thing that makes Sloane feel alive. <br />
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Sloane looks around herself one day to realize that her life has become going to work and going home. No hobbies, No friends, No happy hours with co-workers. The stress of residency coupled with the stress of the search for her sister has narrowed her focus so much that she doesn't even notice the world continuing to live around her. When Sloane looked up one day and realized how narrowed her life has become, I felt like I was looking in a mirror. My life at home and work had become so stressful, I had cut everything and everyone else out of my life. Watching Sloane wake up encouraged me to look at my life. I saw how some of the stressful things in my life had actually improved and began to smooth out. I was able to breath and start adding some more to my plate.<br />
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Of course, my friends are incredibly supportive people and welcomed me back. But I should have taken better care of myself. The first step is recognizing when you are becoming overwhelmed. By shutting out my friends, I was losing an important support network. Books are great sources of escape, but they don't listen to you vent. I'm glad to have both in my life. I can't imagine coping with stress without good friends and books. <br />
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Zeth is drawn to Sloane because he sees himself mirrored in her eyes. Together they are able to provide each other with support and understanding. So if you have someone to help you through the hard times, even if it's just to lend an ear or a hug, hang on to them with both hands. Thanks to my friends TinkNCognito and the ladies at OBC (Outlander Book Club) who keep me sane. <br />
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BLOOD & ROSES SERIES</h1>
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BLOOD AND ROSES BOX SET - All Six Books<br />
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1.DEVIANT<br />
2.FRACTURE<br />
3.BURN<br />
4.FALLEN<br />
5.TWISTED<br />
6.COLLATERAL<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1OtLrB3"><span style="color: #ff8a00;">BUY HERE</span></a></div>
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Book One of the BLOOD & ROSES SERIES<br />
DEVIANT<br />
<a href="http://calliehart.com/blood-roses-series/_wp_link_placeholder"><span style="color: #ff8a00;">BUY HERE</span></a></div>
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Book Two of the BLOOD & ROSES SERIES<br />
FRACTURE<br />
<a href="http://calliehart.com/blood-roses-series/_wp_link_placeholder"><span style="color: #ff8a00;">BUY HERE</span></a></div>
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Book Three of the BLOOD & ROSES SERIES<br />
BURN<br />
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<a href="http://calliehart.com/blood-roses-series/_wp_link_placeholder"><span style="color: #ff8a00;">BUY HERE</span></a></div>
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Book Four of the BLOOD & ROSES SERIES<br />
FALLEN<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1qmdK9k"><span style="color: #ff8a00;">BUY HERE</span></a></div>
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Book Five of the BLOOD & ROSES SERIES</div>
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TWISTED</div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1qmdVRS"><span style="color: #ff8a00;">BUY HERE</span></a></div>
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Book Six of the BLOOD & ROSES SERIES<br />
COLLATERAL<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1qmdNll"><span style="color: #ff8a00;">BUY HERE</span></a></div>
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Inner Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13171862566085690040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-69869232847563383212017-02-23T09:52:00.000-06:002017-02-23T09:52:22.714-06:00Lying in Shadows by Sofia Grey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lying in Shadows</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is the first in the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Event Horizon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> series of contemp romantic suspense stories. Some of the characters may already be familiar to readers, from the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Talisman</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> series, and the standalones </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Perfect Stranger</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pole Position</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s as much romance as it is suspense, set in a high-tech global company, where good people sometimes do bad things. Just like real life.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">P.S. – </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Event Horizon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> are a rock band. This could be a whole new genre – hot rocker romantic suspense?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Title:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Lying in Shadows </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Series: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Event Horizon, #1</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Genre:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Romantic suspense</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Heat level:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Light</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Author:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Sofia Grey</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Release date:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 24 February 2017</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Publisher</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Acelette Press</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pricing:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> $0.99 for pre-order period, rising to $3.99 on release</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ND463TJ" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Amazon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> | </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1203503395" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">iBooks</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> | </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lying-in-shadows-sofia-grey/1125705464" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> | </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/nz/en/ebook/lying-in-shadows" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Kobo</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Goodreads link:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34127837-lying-in-shadows" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34127837-lying-in-shadows</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinterest page:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://nz.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/lying-in-shadows-event-horizon-1/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://nz.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/lying-in-shadows-event-horizon-1/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spotify playlist</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/12165779057/playlist/2pJSVIgB2519TPFf265WxX" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Spotify</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Link to Launch Giveaway form: </span><a href="https://goo.gl/forms/xKr5QaodQlej4IWG3" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://goo.gl/forms/xKr5QaodQlej4IWG3</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(open until 4-March)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tagline:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Good people sometimes do bad things</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Blurb</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Marianne needs to find who's leaking secrets from her company, before they lose another major contract. What she doesn't need is an affair with her married boss. Even worse, to fall in love with him.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She discovers the security leak is more than a case of commercial espionage: someone is lying in the shadows, playing games with them. Now more than her heart and career are at stake—her life is on the line.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHabQjH9FITxMNE1veyT9ApOsn-NWDKMxlt7-5JLXAVENCOf8-6U4X4zRjdktGf0D71x9Q3ZmXaErrgnC8LlUfakTFIVDRyb1fho3RazoBXg1FQoyrJIF6ainDWn-kNr2kpaXl2KLdGg/s1600/LyingInShadows+200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHabQjH9FITxMNE1veyT9ApOsn-NWDKMxlt7-5JLXAVENCOf8-6U4X4zRjdktGf0D71x9Q3ZmXaErrgnC8LlUfakTFIVDRyb1fho3RazoBXg1FQoyrJIF6ainDWn-kNr2kpaXl2KLdGg/s1600/LyingInShadows+200x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Author links:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.sofiagrey.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.SofiaGrey.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Goodreads: </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6906923.Sofia_Grey" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6906923.Sofia_Grey</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sofia.Grey.Romance.Author" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/Sofia.Grey.Romance.Author</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinterest: </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Twitter: @SofiaGreyAuthor </span><a href="https://twitter.com/SofiaGreyAuthor" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/SofiaGreyAuthor</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #993366; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Amazon author profile page: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/sofiagrey" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.amazon.com/author/sofiagrey</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmVlD_nOHX4kGQxWqrastztBLPKW6fypVDCeM6wG-K6F9pfswxKwwamA7E-aKDixtO_cCD9XyDKqu0YQ3eRdEQoYycQhKDh9_HIcLxLOPQVY0VP6nSmLF1INNNKHvIqu9dyZNvLkGEa4/s1600/lying+in+shadows+postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmVlD_nOHX4kGQxWqrastztBLPKW6fypVDCeM6wG-K6F9pfswxKwwamA7E-aKDixtO_cCD9XyDKqu0YQ3eRdEQoYycQhKDh9_HIcLxLOPQVY0VP6nSmLF1INNNKHvIqu9dyZNvLkGEa4/s320/lying+in+shadows+postcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Author bio:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Romance author Sofia Grey spends her days managing projects in the corporate world and her nights hanging out with wolf shifters and alpha males. She devours pretty much anything in the fiction line, but she prefers her romances to be hot, and her heroes to have hidden depths. When writing, she enjoys peeling back the layers to expose her characters’ flaws and always makes them work hard for their happy endings.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Music is interwoven so tightly into my writing that I can’t untangle the two. Either I’m listening to a playlist on my iPod, have music seeping from my laptop speakers, or there’s a song playing in my head – sometimes on auto-repeat. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Check out my image collections on </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and my music playlists on </span><a href="https://play.spotify.com/user/12165779057" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Spotify</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Short Excerpt</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Marcus was just so damned nice. Marianne had almost forgotten what good company he was and how easily they slipped back into being friends. She sensed there was something he wasn’t telling her. He’d lost weight in the past year, and had new worry lines on his forehead and shadows under his eyes. She almost asked if the rumours about him and Louisa were true, but managed to stop herself in time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Was this the right moment to ask if his wife was on the verge of leaving him? Was there ever a good time? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Thank you for walking me back.” It was all of two blocks, but she enjoyed having him at her side. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Sleep well.” He made no move to leave. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Silence hung between them. Marianne should turn on her heel and walk into the apartment building, but she didn’t. What was it about Marcus that drew her so much? He was a complication she couldn’t afford. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You too.” The quick hug she gave him was impulsive. Air-kissing cheeks was as close as they’d been up to now. The squeeze he gave her made her pulse quicken, but she moved. Stepped free. “Goodnight, Marcus.” She didn’t look back at him. She couldn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Longer Excerpt</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Marcus faced her. Now the night was ending, he felt more awake and alive than he had in a long time. “Yeah. It was good.” He spoke slowly and looked her in the eyes. “Thank you. For all of it.” He was transfixed by a puff of her breath on the freezing night air. Her perfume, sweet and woody at the same time, teased his senses. It suited her perfectly. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">They were inches apart. He wouldn’t have to move far, to close the distance between them. He gazed at her lips, unable to tear himself away. Everything about Marianne called to him and always had. He’d allowed himself to become friends with her, knowing it was dangerous. Wanting Marianne was wrong. He had to think of Louisa. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Marianne ran a hand through her pixie-cut hair and leaned against him. “It’s so pretty here, but it’s freaking cold. What the hell was I thinking?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wrapping one arm around her shoulders was instinctive. His yearning to kiss her roared back into life, and he tried to ignore it. “It is pretty, but you’re beautiful.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Sweet talker,” she murmured. She made no move, and Marcus held her closer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus. Marianne filled all his senses. All his needs. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One taste—that was all he wanted. One hint of this beautiful, sassy woman. It would have to be enough. He couldn’t offer anything else.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He lifted his hand and cupped her cold cheek, brushing a pattern over the soft skin with his thumb. The air felt charged. He gazed into her eyes, waiting for a sign. Waiting for her to tell him to fuck off.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She didn’t.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Did she want him? He had to know. Need coursed through his veins, and he dropped his head and brushed his lips over hers. His world shrank to the bench in Trafalgar Square. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She didn’t retreat, so he moved in again, with another fleeting kiss that grazed her lips. He was crazy to think one taste would be enough. He wanted to gorge on her. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Marianne pulled back, opening a cool space between them. “This is wrong.” Her voice was husky. “We shouldn’t be doing this. You’ll hate me and yourself.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She was right. He was behaving like an ass, but he still didn’t want to stop.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It took a superhuman effort, but he disentangled himself from her and stood. He took a step away and turned to face the empty square. His heart raced, as if he’d run a marathon. He tried to get his body under control.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’m sorry,” he rasped, his mouth as dry as a gravel path. He couldn’t look at her. Didn’t dare to.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She huffed a breath behind him. “I can’t be your lover, Marcus, but I can be your friend.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. He wanted more, and that scared him. He had to fix things with Louisa, not get caught up in a flirtation going nowhere. He should be beating himself up with guilt right now, but he wasn’t. Instead, he felt panic at losing the chance of a stolen afternoon with Marianne. “Are we still going out tomorrow?”</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-86246739687923573942017-01-28T20:09:00.000-06:002017-01-28T20:12:25.495-06:00Haunted by Love - Lori King<span style="font-size: large;">Lori King is one of Pearls and my favorite authors and we are always super excited when she has a new story out!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDafk_jTy0q7QWgVLsQtNLANt4zCoSTKFbKaT6R96DS3Omz_RL7by0Hh8NyYUfA1M2cb9rFZ23jp3oA0AB1Hw9Nsnx1pr9iCEQGGdM5_DnvSvLfkOQzc2LWcbFZf7vTuc-N1dkwNRCCnE/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDafk_jTy0q7QWgVLsQtNLANt4zCoSTKFbKaT6R96DS3Omz_RL7by0Hh8NyYUfA1M2cb9rFZ23jp3oA0AB1Hw9Nsnx1pr9iCEQGGdM5_DnvSvLfkOQzc2LWcbFZf7vTuc-N1dkwNRCCnE/s640/Cover.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Haunted By Love
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By: Lori King</span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">It
was the dare to end all dares, and she didn’t have the option of
backing down. Spend Halloween night in the haunted castle in the
forest. She figured it would be easy enough; after all, she didn’t
believe in ghosts.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">A
hundred years trapped in an inescapable hell had twisted his heart
into a black rock of despair and loathing for everything human. Many
had tested his limits over the centuries, but none had reached into
his soul the way she did.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">To
overcome, he was to reach her, but she doesn’t believe. Will they
both spend the rest of eternity haunted by love?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en"><i>This
story was originally published in the Shifters Hallows Eve Anthology
Fall 2016.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">Amazon:
<a href="http://amzn.to/2iNmXrO">http://amzn.to/2iNmXrO</a> </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">Amazon
UK: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01NAPXUPR/">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01NAPXUPR/</a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">Amazon
CA: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01NAPXUPR/">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01NAPXUPR/</a>
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">Amazon
AU: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAPXUPR/">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAPXUPR/</a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">iBooks:
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/haunted-by-love/id1191820750">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/haunted-by-love/id1191820750</a>
</span></span></span>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">Nook:
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1125430253">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1125430253</a>
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.19in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en">Kobo:
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/haunted-by-love-1">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/haunted-by-love-1</a>
</span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #767171;">What
in Gods name was the woman doing? She’d just shut herself in the
maids closet for a few moments and then reappeared with a smile on
her face. Gideon waited for her to kneel on the floor of his bedroom
before he flew across the beamed ceilings to peer down at her. She
was quite lovely. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<span style="color: #767171;">Her
dark hair was pulled up in an unusual hairstyle that twisted around
into a knot, but left the ends sticking out so they cascade over the
bun in a fall of curls. She wore tiny golden rings in her ears, and a
delicate gold chain around her elegant throat. He could envision her
dressed as the ladies of his time, dripping in gemstones that he
gifted her, and shrouded in satin and silks. </span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #767171;">When
she bent and began spreading a fabric bed on the floor, he was
treated to a view of her perfectly rounded rear, and the part of him
that still remained in touch with the man he was, reacted very
physically. His claws knocked a broken shard of rock from the walls
edge to the floor, and the woman shrieked with fear, her eyes wide
and glassy as she spun to look his way. The moment she saw him, she
relaxed and took a deep breath. </span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #767171;">“Just
a bird. Thank God.” </span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #767171;">Gideon
didn’t like her tone of voice, but it wasn’t like he could
protest verbally. If he shifted now she’d run screaming, and he’d
never understand this compulsive need to claim her. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<span style="color: #767171;">The
first time he’d laid eyes on her, she’d been but a child.
Freckled nose, bare toes, and a gap toothed grin that warmed his dead
soul. She’d been a frequent visitor to his home for years, and then
one day she was gone. All this time he’d wondered about her,
dreamed of her, fantasized about them, never once imagining she’d
actually return. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<span style="color: #767171;">“You’re
a pretty girl, aren’t you?” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<span style="color: #767171;">It
took him a moment to realize she was still talking to his raven, and
when he did, he took offense, cocking his head to the side in
irritation. How could she possibly think he was a female? What female
wore her blue-black feathers so brilliantly, he’d like to know? </span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #767171;">“Make
yourself at home, pretty girl. We have a long night ahead of us,”
she paused and then turned back to the fabric bed she’d laid out,
“Although I can’t say I don’t appreciate the company.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<span style="color: #767171;">Gideon
watched her carefully pull a device from the pocket of her pants and
tab at it with her fingers. After a moment she made a rather nasty
noise and cursed. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<span style="color: #767171;">“Fucking
hell. No signal. Of course, I don’t know why I thought there would
be.” She dropped onto her rear end on the floor and tossed the
device aside as if it had offended her. “So no Candy Crush, no
Netflix, no social media…what the hell am I going to do in this big
old empty place all night?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<span style="color: #767171;">Oh
how he wished he could offer her a few options. </span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #767171;">“It’s
just you and me, pretty girl. Oh, and the ghost downstairs.” She
giggled, and he felt his feathers ruffle lightly at the sound. It had
been so long since he’d experienced joy, would he ever feel it
again? “I have a book on my ereader program I could read, but I’m
not much in the mood. I’ve already explored this floor, and there’s
no way I’m going back down there.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<span style="color: #767171;">Her
eyes drifted over the walls and ceiling, taking in every cobweb and
corner before they came back to rest on him. “Do ravens sing? I
don’t think I’ve ever been this close to a raven before. You’re
so quiet…I guess that answers my question.” She wiped her palms
nervously on her thighs. “Well, I sing, and I guess tonight you can
just listen. I need something to take my mind off where I am.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<span style="color: #767171;">The
sound that came from her throat was like that of the angel’s choir,
and Gideon had trosuble maintaining his shift as she sang about a
dream and a wish the heart makes. What kind of dreams and wishes were
in his lady-love’s heart, he wondered? Did they consist of a tall,
dark, and handsome ghost/raven shifter?</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> About Lori</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><img alt="Lori King Pic" class=" size-medium wp-image-5135 alignright" data-attachment-id="5135" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Lori King Pic" data-large-file="https://lorikingbooks.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/lori-king-pic.jpg?w=497" data-medium-file="https://lorikingbooks.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/lori-king-pic.jpg?w=225" data-orig-file="https://lorikingbooks.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/lori-king-pic.jpg" data-orig-size="506,675" data-permalink="https://lorikingbooks.wordpress.com/about-lori/lori-king-pic/" height="300" src="https://lorikingbooks.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/lori-king-pic.jpg?w=225&h=300" width="225" /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">Best-selling
author, Lori King, is also a full-time wife and mother of three boys.
Although she rarely has time to just enjoy feminine pursuits; at heart
she is a hopeless romantic. She spends her days dreaming up Alpha men,
and her nights telling their stories. An admitted TV and book junkie,
she can be found relaxing with a steamy story, or binging in an entire
season of some show online. She gives her parents all the credit for her
unique sense of humor and acceptance of all forms of love. There are no
two loves alike, but you can love more than one with your whole heart. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">With
the motto: Live, Laugh, and Love like today is your only chance, she
will continue to write as long as you continue to read. Thank you for
taking the time to indulge in a good Happily Ever After with her. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15940464409225072177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212697400946483187.post-75702476011501392902017-01-14T21:22:00.002-06:002017-01-14T21:22:35.001-06:00Laurie Olerich - Vanek, A Demons After Dark series<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of our favorite authors - Laurie Olerich - has a new series Demons After Dark coming soon and she has been so kind as to give us a sneak peek of the first book Vanek!!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZG3Yr0QIYdb_afZlCe8fEkHwNBayeRXUGxOFukhq6_yfLEiULKrvFsKA5rdPp4WzedhQzWIx2x7WA_yRD38OvVD_ovevVwai3n_KB7Z_G5OxvRcnx1GWY3fwJI_a_c7IauQsWXPRLjI/s1600/16009912_1378654108845501_1401717814_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZG3Yr0QIYdb_afZlCe8fEkHwNBayeRXUGxOFukhq6_yfLEiULKrvFsKA5rdPp4WzedhQzWIx2x7WA_yRD38OvVD_ovevVwai3n_KB7Z_G5OxvRcnx1GWY3fwJI_a_c7IauQsWXPRLjI/s640/16009912_1378654108845501_1401717814_o.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;">First Excerpt </span></span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: medium;">That’s not what you want
to know, Dylan. Why don’t you just say what you mean?” Vanek
squeezed her thigh and pressed her to answer. “I thought you were
taking control? If that’s true, ask me what you really want to
know. Don’t fuck around.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Her head whipped around, eyes
flashing. He held back a smirk. <i>Gotcha, babe</i>.</span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: medium;">You’re so clever. Why
don’t you just tell me what I’m thinking?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, he heard the warning
bells; he chose to ignore them because he liked living on the edge.
She was wounded up so tightly he was afraid she’d explode and take
out a city block. Lucky for her, he had plenty of experience with
combustibles. Time to light the fuse.</span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: medium;">Okay. Fine. I think you’re
wondering if I’m going to miss you when you leave. I think you’re
wishing things were different between us. I think you’re wishing
this had a happy ending and not the kind with my dick inside you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Her indignant gasp was
immediate and full of anger. “Don’t you dare presume to know what
I’m thinking! You have no idea. None! You couldn’t understand me
if you tried. And you’re way too proud of that piece of meat
hanging between your legs. Get over yourself.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">And boom! Wincing, he
regrouped.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYwq03P51Vsz3GFmTdeGsx_WZ-SqS-srINgrn2tzSYIFtw-6Gy9pGvKKMqfmh6n3k3nFClAuEWZk4hZL9CiQgeMCDOzkK4aAzjCAYIRd6_pNaPAApkLf1kv1gW8Wl372e5PFv2-O8ZiM/s1600/15991793_1378653978845514_2136630460_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYwq03P51Vsz3GFmTdeGsx_WZ-SqS-srINgrn2tzSYIFtw-6Gy9pGvKKMqfmh6n3k3nFClAuEWZk4hZL9CiQgeMCDOzkK4aAzjCAYIRd6_pNaPAApkLf1kv1gW8Wl372e5PFv2-O8ZiM/s400/15991793_1378653978845514_2136630460_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sounds like a great read, now doesn't it?? How about another sample??</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This woman . . . She was
undoing everything he thought he knew about humans. She wasn’t weak
and stupid; she was brave and strong. Stubborn and kind. Resilient
and fucking sexy. If he wasn’t careful, she’d worm her way under
his skin and make him want to stay. That couldn’t happen. But if
she wanted to poke the beast, play on the dark side, who was he to
resist the temptation?</span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: medium;">Careful, babe. You won’t
like me when I’m pissed off. I’m not one of the good guys.” He
took her by both wrists and walked her back against the glass. Her
heartbeat skyrocketed. He allowed himself a satisfied grin before
saying, “You might even say I’m wicked.” Stretching her arms
over her head, he trapped her hands in one of his own. Cupping her
breast, he brought her just to the edge of pain. Her nipple swelled
and tightened against his palm. That quick glint of fear left her
eyes, replaced by hunger, lust that mirrored his. </span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Softening his hold, he
smoothed his palm over her breast until she whimpered and let her
eyes drift closed. Squeezing hard enough to pop her eyes back open,
he buried his face against her neck and murmured, “Some might say
I’m insatiable.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">She shivered in anticipation,
her body melting against his. Taking that as permission, he held her
in place, rocking his hips to brush his erection against her mound
with maddening slowness. “Hunger’s a demon thing.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Her pulse thudded as he
dragged his mouth over her throat and nibbled the tender skin
underneath her ear. “I’m so hungry, I could eat you alive.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO6QcbmaOiH3r_t7Qihhwatcxi99tbnJAWib9Oh3hwEaac1Qago35qD8gwcMsjLUSWwwz43DSmUvA5g94FG3t9HyIiqmhxnYAHEpOeBtwY8zKPvwPMlcdtOwXjfTTfzRhVPlj1WyJnbk/s1600/15992242_1378653975512181_586768878_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGO6QcbmaOiH3r_t7Qihhwatcxi99tbnJAWib9Oh3hwEaac1Qago35qD8gwcMsjLUSWwwz43DSmUvA5g94FG3t9HyIiqmhxnYAHEpOeBtwY8zKPvwPMlcdtOwXjfTTfzRhVPlj1WyJnbk/s400/15992242_1378653975512181_586768878_o.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And while we are rather impatiently waiting for Vanek, we can enjoy Primani, her first series again and again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you haven't already read them, why not pick the up today...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Amazon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Primani-Laurie-Olerich-ebook/dp/B00EWTQIX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484449711&sr=8-1&keywords=laurie+olerich" target="_blank">Primani</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Call-Lightning-Primani-Laurie-Olerich/dp/149276759X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1484449711&sr=8-2&keywords=laurie+olerich" target="_blank">Call the Lightning</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stone-Angels-Primani-Book-Three/dp/1494912007/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1484449711&sr=8-3&keywords=laurie+olerich" target="_blank">Stone Angels</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Souls-Primani-Book-Four/dp/150044135X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1484449711&sr=8-6&keywords=laurie+olerich" target="_blank">Broken Souls</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Calling-Primani-Book-Five/dp/1507726716/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1484449711&sr=8-5&keywords=laurie+olerich" target="_blank">Darkness Calling</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Saol-Mates-Primani-Book-Six/dp/1519292937/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1484449711&sr=8-4&keywords=laurie+olerich" target="_blank">Saol Mates</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And preorder Vanek while you are at it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vanek-Demons-After-Dark-Book-ebook/dp/B01MU9I32Y/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1484449711&sr=8-7&keywords=laurie+olerich" target="_blank">Vanek</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Catch all the latest news by following her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laurie.olerich?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </span></span></div>
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