Note: You have to be 18 or over to read this excerpt:
As he followed her down the carpeted hallway, the gentle swish of her hosiery made his cock stir. Her pencil skirt outlined the curves of her bottom and thighs, not blatantly, but the subtle hints were, in a way, worse.
She opened the door to her office before he could open it for her. It clicked quietly behind them. “You’ve done a great job.”
He detected a quaver in her voice, too slight for most people to notice. But he wasn’t most people.
“I might have difficulty getting everybody on board, but with the launch of the new face cream we’ll need the extra guidance. Not to mention the online ventures.” She grimaced. “Did I say that some of the board members think that’s going down-market?”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets in a desperate attempt to hide his erection. “Yes, you did, and some of them mentioned it to me. I tried to assure them that it’s the image of the product plus the pricing that matters. The client needs to think she’s buying something exclusive. It doesn’t matter what socioeconomic class she’s from.”
“‘A touch of luxury.’ We’ve had that slogan since the beginning, did you know?”
He did. “I did my research. Ever since your great-grandmother came over from Russia and decided to bring some Russian exoticism to America.” Like her sleek mahogany hair, her slightly slanted eyes and that rich, full mouth, enhanced with a slick of lip gloss. Lip gloss he wanted to lick off. Her light, floral perfume urged him to move forward and fill his lungs. He didn’t know what kind she wore and he didn’t care. Guess he didn’t have to worry that he was turning metrosexual .
She laughed. “Something like that. I didn’t know her, but I knew my grandmother and everyone said they were the same. My mother wasn’t very different, but it was a different world then. Times change. So do Rezanovs.”
When he took a step toward her, she retreated behind her desk. She obscured the glorious view of North Lake Shore Drive and the harbor beyond, but he didn’t care one bit. He could see a similar view any time he wanted from his condo. But he couldn’t see Lacey, much though he’d like to.
She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I’ve had your fee wired to your account. That’s the final amount.”
“So that means we’re quits.” He wanted to make sure she understood they weren’t business colleagues anymore. Because he wanted more than that. “I don’t work for you now.”
“I guess so.” She glanced up at him almost shyly.
He loved it, as though she were a kid about to have her first adult kiss. It made her look—not younger, but freer, somehow.
He rounded the desk. Her skirt twitched, as if she thought about retreating then decided against it. Good. “I’ll get my staff to handle everything else, if you have any queries in the future. I shouldn’t need to return unless things go badly wrong, and then you’ll have to re-contract me.” Chances are he wouldn’t be available, anyway. “Clear?”
She swallowed but met his gaze. “Clear.”
He took a moment to stare into those gorgeous blue eyes, the darker flecks enhancing the trepidation he read there. But she held her ground. Fuck, she’d be a wildcat in bed. Hopefully he’d find out. He lowered his head, giving her plenty of time to duck away, but she didn’t. With a surge of triumph, he saw her lift her chin.
A breath of hot air whispered across his skin when he touched her lips gently with his. To Verill, it felt like surrender. Her hands came up to clutch his upper arms, her touch like a challenge for him to take this further and discover her response. He lost his mind.
Gripping her waist, he deepened the kiss, flicking his tongue over her lips. Her mouth open under his. He swept inside, not giving her a chance to withdraw, taking possession. His cock strained his pants and he drew her closer, pushed against her stomach in mindless need. God, she smelled good, like a whole field of wildflowers underlaid with spice. Expensive perfume, he’d learned recently, reacted to the wearer’s skin, the chemicals blending and creating something unique. He’d never smell lavender again without thinking of her. Remembering this.
She tightened her hands on his arms and he withdrew, gasping for breath. “Do you know I’ve wanted to do this since I first set eyes on you? I even considered throwing the job and just going for you.”
She huffed a laugh, sounding as shaky as he felt. “I didn’t know. You’re so damned professional.”
“Fuck, if you knew!” He’d kept rigid control of his desire for her. But watching her and wanting her over the last three months had driven him crazy. The first month, he and his team had done research. Shadowed the staff, gone out in the field, conducted questionnaires. He’d known then that he couldn’t work with her around, and although he’d planned to shadow her, he couldn’t do it.
Now he had her. He bent his head and they shared another long, luscious kiss. Drawing her closer, he spread his hands over her back, tracing the indent of her spine. He had to kiss all the way down it. Now. He stroked, felt her responsive shiver, and knew he had her permission.
He nibbled her neck just behind her ear and carried on when her muscles tightened, pausing at the base of her throat when she gasped and stretched her neck to give him better access. Paused to nibble and lick, to tease the sweet hollow he found there.
She loosened her grip on his arms, rubbed her hands up and down, around his neck and into his hair, ruffling it. Her fingers massaged his scalp with a sensuality that made him moan.
Her blouse buttoned at the front. One, two, three and he’d undone enough to see her bra, a smooth expanse of satin, lightly padded. When he slid his fingers inside, he touched her nipple, puckered and hard, ready for him. He wanted to see it, to taste it. He gave a soft “umph” of approval and pleasure. “Did you think ahead, sweet Lacey? Put on something padded because you knew you’d react to me? Get hard like this?” He tweaked again, loving it when she gasped.
“Something like that.” Her breathless voice urged him to explore more. He pushed down the soft bra cup and lowered his head to take her nipple into his mouth. Like a pretty rosebud, deep pink and crinkled.
Sensation exploded over his tongue. The way the peak hardened even more, the tip pushing into his tongue, insisting on attention. He gave it willingly, sucked hard, taking her soft flesh, wanting more. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close but allowing her to arch back enough to thrust her breast up. Nothing would stop him now. Nothing. He stroked down her body to the sweet indent of her waist, the curve of her ass, and swept back up to find the zipper of her skirt.
She was the first to register the meaning of the quiet click, jerking up in his arms. Since it was followed by an explosive, “Mom! What the hell are you doing?” Verill caught up with her fast. He’d have let her go, but because of the way she jerked back, not because of anything else.
Reluctantly he loosened his hold on her, and even more reluctantly drew back. In an instant he registered her open expression, plumped lips and moistness within, the flush on her cheeks. He switched his attention to the entrant. With a deft movement he slid her bra up and turned to face the intruder, giving her a moment to put her clothes to rights.
He remained behind her office chair, the high back covering his erection. Maybe he’d go for off-the-rack suits in the future and buy the pants two sizes too big. He’d have to if he stayed around Lacey for too long. He tried for stern and let his outrage show in a taut frown. “Do you always walk in without knocking?”
Vance glanced away and then back, a wry, apologetic grin on his face. “Yeah, sorry about that.” The grin vanished. “But it doesn’t mean you can manhandle my mother.” Vance looked younger than his twenty-five years right now. But to do him justice, the sight must have startled the kid.
“I think that’s her concern, don’t you?”
Buy the book here.
|
Sunshine on Chrome is packed with things going on yet it never feels like too much. The balance of action and breathing time in between is just right, and I read it in one go. I hated Daphne right from the start—you’ll know what I mean when you read the book—and Donny is just ugh. The love scenes are great (steamy!) and the relationship arc is wonderful. Loved seeing it all coming together (pardon the expression!) and the end left me with an insane smile on my face. I loved Lacey and Verill. She’s strong yet vulnerable and he is lush. My goodness is he lush!
Natalie Dae for Miz Love Loves Books
Lacey Rezanov and Verill Harper are two of the most engaging characters that I read in a long time. Both are strong, vibrant and independent people.
The reason for the bike ride will warm your heart and see Verill in a completely different light. The point of the bike ride is central to the story. While the sexual scenes are hot, the emotions are what drive this story and the characters themselves.
I love the Cougar Challenge series. It is one of the best series that I have ever read whether mainstream or erotic. You do not have to read them order and when the girls start talking on the blog, the dialogue is fresh and relevant. Lynne did an excellent job of bringing back Sunset has the springboard for Lacey to help her make her mind up.
Marika for Night Owl Reviews - Night Owl Top Pick!
The very gifted Lynne Connolly works her cougar magic once again by heating up the pages creating another lively fast-paced tale infused with excitement, tenderness, sensuality and high degree of sensations that romance readers will adore. Ms. Connolly knows exactly how to tap into women's fantasies while maintaining the honor of a commanding love story and a solid plot for a romance that is both original and fulfilling. By exploring her well-drawn characters deep emotions, placing them in a captivating situation and adding rising sexual tension hot enough to tantalize and satisfy the reader, Ms. Connolly shines.
Shannon for The Romance Studio
Sunshine on Chrome by Lynne Connolly is the next fantastic novel in the Cougar Challenge Series from Ellora's Cave. There are 17 novels, including this one, in the Cougar Challenge series and I have yet to be disappointed! This story, like all the others is a wonderful, fun and enjoyable read. If you like seeing strong characters in excellent stories then I highly recommend this and all the other books in the series.
Skip's Reading - Whispers From The Dark
Connolly brings the heat between these two characters that is practically scorches the pages. Those looking for a hot romance and happily ever afters will certainly find it here with this book and many in the series. So go and pick it up! This will definitely want to make you read the rest of the series from Ellora’s Cave.
Denise Alicea for The Pen & Muse |
