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Showing posts with label We-R-Promo Stars. Show all posts
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Can love break through the walls? Thrills Ten Places by Kariss Stone #erotica

Can love break through the walls? Thrills Ten Places by Kariss Stone #erotica



   Title: Thrills Ten Places
Series: Sexy Ten #2
By: Kariss Stone
Publication Date: January 13, 2018
Genre: Erotica
#thrillstenplacestour

Can love break through the walls? Intimacy in a grocery store, on the back of a bus, in the surf, a nightclub, a cable car. Just for starters! Businessman Eric Madison takes his and Charlotte’s ‘thrills’ sex to an all new high. But Charlotte Castle’s feelings for him grow to the point where a casual affair is no longer enough. Even though she risks losing him, she has to let him know how she feels. Will Eric overcome his fear of love and commitment or will Charlotte have to walk away from the only man she’s ever loved?


Chapter One
Charlotte Castle
He trailed a slow path of kisses over my stomach. My muscles clenched in toe-curling anticipation until he was there, massaging my slick, aching cleft with his hot tongue. “Come for me, angel,” he murmured against my flesh, his words uttered in that soft, lilting Brazilian accent that got me every time.
I gripped his hair as he sent me to the brink of ecstasy with every slide and twirl he made. I inhaled sharply, arched into him, wanting more, needing more. He glided his tongue around the lips of my sex, lapping at my clit until my body trembled.
His tongue went deeper into my slit, lapping and sucking and swirling while I moaned louder. My grip on his hair tightened, my body melted as I reached the pinnacle, about to soar
A deep voice sliced through my erotic dream. I blinked hard trying to recall where I was and realizing through the lust haze in my brain, I’d been asked a question.
Paul, my colleague in the Physics faculty readjusted his too-big spectacles as he stared at me, silent, waiting for my response. “Sorry, what was that?” I didn’t know why I was having this daydream in the staff room.
“I asked if you wish you were overseas again.”
Clearing my throat, I sat up straighter in my chair, hoping the heat in my cheeks and my no doubt dreamy look wouldn’t give me away. “Yeah, it would be great to travel again.”
“And sailing around the Greek Isles. Lucky you.” Paul turned his attention to their other colleague. “When are you going overseas again, Harold?”
While the men conversed, I thought about the amazing time I’d shared with businessman Eric Madison. It had been a whirlwind two months of mind-blowing sexual experiences with desserts in Australia and exotic locations around the world. But our affair had ended three weeks ago, after our last trystan orgy in a spa bath filled with jelly. Eric had promised to call the following week, keen to begin a new fantasy adventure. But he hadn’t called, and hurt swamped me.
“What do you think Charlotte?”
Paul again. It was nice he always included me in his conversations. “Sorry, what do I think about what?” I hadn’t meant to be distracted, usually I’m good at listening to people.   
Harold’s piercing grey gaze met mine before he grinned, as though he could see inside my head and was enjoying the show. “It seems your mind is a million miles away today. We wanted to know what you thought of that Fluid Dynamics article.”
Oh yes, I’d read that. “The results are remarkable. It’s certainly caught the attention of the public eye.” I rose from my place at the lunch table. “Will you excuse me for a moment, gentlemen?” Tightness coiled in my chest. I needed fresh air.
Once outside the Physics building, I let out a deep breath. Eric Madison. Thinking about him had caused me to flee the suddenly claustrophobic lunchroom. The radio silence was probably his way of giving me the hint he’d changed his mind, no longer keen to meet up for the next sexual adventure he had in mind. Well, I got the hint.
Unless he’s been busy and hasn’t had time to see you the rational part of my brain reasoned. Don’t forget he runs a successful renewable energy company, not to mention his BDSM clubs. And there was that embezzlement drama.
Of course, but not even a quick text to say Hi. I’ve been crazy busy but will call you very soon? Maybe I was asking too much.
Hurt bloomed within me. I was taking it harder than usual because I’d fallen in love with him, despite knowing he wasn’t looking for a long-term relationship. His fear of commitment hung between us like an impenetrable metal sheet, yet I had no idea why. His heart remained a closed book. I could only assume he’d been betrayed by a woman he loved. Or was there another reason to explain his commitment phobia?
Frustrated and angry, I decided as hard as it would be, I’d have to close that chapter of my life, even though a part of me would always love him. I didn’t like these feelings. Experiencing sadness and disillusionment when my ex boyfriend broke my heart a couple of years ago had been enough. I needed to protect my heart and not fall deeper. I would send Eric a text tomorrow and leave it at that, getting the closure I needed. Hopefully. I wouldn’t send a text now, choosing to wait until I was in a better head space. I didn’t want to lash out and be a total bitch, out of respect for all the wonderful things he’d done for me, all those amazing experiences…not to mention the fact he’d saved my life… 
***
Eric Madison
I switched off my computer after a fourteen hour day overseeing the production of a new type of solar panel, the first of its kind in Australia. It would revolutionize the energy industry. Rolling my head and shoulders, I rose to my feet, exhausted and in need of a good sleep. I hopped into my Audi and drove off into the busy Sydney traffic, thankful it was only a short trip to my apartment down by Circular Quay.
Twenty minutes later I slumped on the leather lounge with a beer in hand, switched on the TV and placed my feet on the coffee table, that same laid-back position I always adopted when not in my office. Yep. The bachelor life was great, no woman to tell me to get my shoes off the table. 
I flipped channels. The Simpsons. Charlotte laughing at one of Homer’s funny reactions. Memories of her flooded my mind―times we’d watched the show together. I’d been comfortable with her from the moment we’d met, but falling in love, being in a committed relationship were things I avoided, thanks to my parents. Even though she’d agreed to casual, never asking for anything more, I suspected Charlotte’s feelings for me ran deeper than she admitted to. But there was no way I was getting caught up in a serious relationship.  
As I got ready for bed, a text message sounded on my mobile phone. It was from Charlotte.
‘Hi Eric, hope you’re doing okay. I just wanted to say thanks for everything and I wish you all the best.’
I jerked up straight, my heart skipped a beat. This sounded like she was ending things with me. ‘Where’s this coming from?’ I texted back.
‘Now that we’re back in the real world and busy with our lives a new sexual adventure is probably not on the cards.
Okay, I didn’t know women that well, but was this veiled anger? ‘Do you want me to call you?’
She texted her reply. ‘No. There’s nothing to discuss. I just wanted to say thanks again for the amazing time we shared, and I wish you well. I hope you got that embezzlement drama sorted out and found the guy. All the best with everything. Bye.’
I surged to my feet, off-kilter, in unfamiliar emotional territory.
Frustrated, I slumped back down on the sofa and shoved a hand through my hair.  A big void opened in my chest. Loss swamped me like a tidal wave. I was the one who did the dumping. What do I do about this?   
A part of me knew if I’d called her I would have been tempted to see her straight away. I’d be vulnerable, and my control over my emotions could slip. I was always planning on calling her though. But I’d needed more time to deal with the various work issues. Still…I twisted my lips together. I could have at least sent her a text, even a quick ‘hi, am really busy but will contact you as soon as I can’.
Now she was saying goodbye. Something I wasn’t expecting. Would it be better if I let her go?
Could I let her go?
Okay. I could do two things. Call her and try to get us back on the same page, but I’d have to keep my deeper emotions in check. Or I could accept her wishes and let her walk out of my life. But God, I didn’t want that. She was too special to me.
Don’t make a decision now. Sleep on it.
Just then my mobile rang. My best mate Martin who was always there for me.
“Hey, mate, you still up?” Martin never worried about what time he called.
“Yeah.”
“So I ended up asking Liz out, and she said yes.”
Liz. Martin’s personal trainer. “That’s great. She seems really nice.”
“Yeah she is. But I’d like you to meet her for more than a minute. Can you come to the pub Friday night?”
“Um … yeah … yeah I guess…”
“Are you okay? You sound flat.”
Rubbing my tired eyes, I pondered how I should reply, not wanting to dwell on my emotions at ten-thirty at night. “Nothing’s wrong. Sorry, just tired.” Well that was true. “But I’m happy for you, Martin. I’d love to meet her, too.” Even though Martin’s ex-fiancée, Priscilla, had broken his heart six months ago, he still believed in love. I meant it when I said I was happy for him.
“You’ve heard from her, haven’t you?” Martin asked bluntly.
I knew he was referring to Charlotte. Were guys meant to be this perceptive?
“And I bet she’s not happy you haven’t called her.”
Exactly what I’d thought. I couldn’t lie to my best mate. “Yeah I heard from her. She sent me a text saying ‘thanks, it was nice knowing you, have a good life’, words to that effect.”
“Yep, she’s pissed. You should have called her by now, like I said.”
“Man, I’m too buggered to get into this with you. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.” I disconnected the call and switched off my phone.
Lying awake in bed, I wasn’t able to get Charlotte out of my mind and heart despite the wall I’d built. But that didn’t mean anything. I simply missed her because I enjoyed her company. She’d become special to me, but past experiences prevented me from being in a committed relationship. I couldn’t open up to her. She wouldn’t get it. I only had to remember that night a year ago. I’d been drinking at the pub with my brother and his girlfriend and after a few beers told her why I’d sworn off love and serious relationships, thinking she’d understand. She’d been that type of person. Instead she’d given me this weird, puzzled look like I had rocks in my head, before laughing. ‘That’s a ridiculous reason. It makes no sense. You’ve got issues, man.’ If she could make me feel like a loser then any woman could, even Charlotte. No. I couldn’t give my heart to any woman. It was better to keep things fun and light with her and while I didn’t do commitment and love, I wanted to keep being around her. I loved her energy, and her personality. But I’d understand if she still wanted to walk out of my life because I couldn’t give her promises and roses and the happily ever after.
And with her text she’d pretty well done just that.


Simone Cooper, writing as Kariss Stone for her erotica books, has always been a romantic and knew from an early age creative writing was her passion, and that she wanted to be a writer. She loves everything about love and writing and romance in all its glorious forms, and has a natural passion for erotica, because as she says it’s fun and exciting to ‘live out’ any sexual fantasy you want! Simone lives on the Central Coast of NSW in a small flat with her beautiful man and their adorable but cheeky cat Ralph, who is the apple of their eye. When she’s not writing herself, she loves immersing herself in romance and erotica books and is addicted to any romance reality show on TV. Saddened by all the animal cruelty in the world, she donates regularly to many animal charities. Her dream is to set up an animal rescue refuge when she retires. Her first published book was an erotica short story called ‘Lust to the Night’, which describes in detail the first night of sex between the hero and heroine of ‘Dessert Ten Ways’ which is the first book in her ‘Sexy Ten’ series. Simone has also written a sweet romance called ‘The Ghost of his Past’ which is part of the Bindarra Creek Romance series: 13 books by 13 authors over 13 months. Set in the picturesque tablelands of New England, Australia, Bindarra Creek is a fictional, often drought-stricken community full of intrigue, adventure, drama and romance. Life and love in a small country town has never been more challenging.

Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kariss.stone

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A globe-trotting bad boy #myimageofyourelease @MorelandMelanie #Giveaway

A globe-trotting bad boy #myimageofyourelease @MorelandMelanie #Giveaway



  Title: My Image of You
By: Melanie Moreland
Publication Date: September 19, 2017
Publisher: Random House LLC/Loveswept
Genre: Contemporary Romance
#myimageofyourelease
A globe-trotting bad boy chases the one that got away in this addictive novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Contract. My name is Adam Kincaid, and I’m the best at what I do. After losing my parents, I decided to follow in their footsteps, and now I’m the most daring freelance photographer in the world. Maybe some think I’m a loner, but I don’t care. All that matters is the shot: braving danger and devastation in search of a single image with the power to tell someone’s story. But as good as I am, accidents happen—and thank god for that, because it’s what leads me to her. . . Alexandra Robbins. My nurse. My savior. With her fiery red hair and crystal-clear blue eyes, the camera loves her . . . and I have to have her. We soon find that we’re perfect together. We just fit, physically and emotionally. And yet something isn’t right. Something from her past is haunting her, and no matter what I do to help her break free, I lose her. Today is the day I try to win her back. Not only do I need an explanation, I need her in my bed once again. I don’t just want a damn picture—I want her. Because what we have is a love that never fades away. . .
“There are so many things I want to do with you,” I assured her, and licked my lips as I stared at her, my voice husky. “To you.” “Tell me,” she insisted, her fingers curled into fists at her sides. I stepped behind her, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her to my chest. I smoothed my fingers up her arm, trailing them along her skin. Small goose bumps broke out, pebbling the surface as I dropped my head down into her neck, kissing and swirling my tongue. “I’m going to explore you—everywhere. I’ll touch and discover every part of you. I want to know what makes you gasp, what drives you to distraction. I’ll find out what I can do to make you groan and beg me to take you. I’ll know your body better than you do.” I drew her skin between my teeth, biting and sucking. “I want to kiss you . . . taste you everywhere.” I slipped my hands under her shirt, teasing the softness of her stomach and side, stroking upward until my hand cupped her breast lightly. “I bet you taste different all over. Sweet some places”—I dropped my hand down, running it along the edge of her waistband—“musky and tangy others.”
New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-seven-plus years and their rescue cat Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them. 
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip. 
  Melanie delights in a good romance story with some bumps along the way, but is a true believer in happily ever after. When her head isn’t buried in a book, it is bent over a keyboard, furiously typing away as her characters dictate their creative storylines to her, often with a large glass of wine keeping her company.
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Sometimes change is beyond our control #natuallyhisbookblitz @CR_Lemons

Sometimes change is beyond our control #natuallyhisbookblitz @CR_Lemons



Title: Naturally His
Author: C.R. Lemons/Steel Rogers
Series: His #1
Publication Date: June 29, 2017
Publisher: Rogue Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance

#natuallyhisbookblitz

CHECK OUT MAYA'S REVIEW OF NATURALLY HIS

Sometimes change is beyond our control. Then there are other times when change is a complete choice... After her husband of thirteen years has an affair, Katy Andrews kicks him out of their house and finds herself unhappily married. She never thought she would be considering divorce and to add to the already complicated situation, the two own a general contracting business together. As a result, she is in a state of limbo afraid of changing her comfortable lifestyle and not knowing what to do. She just wakes up every morning and continues the same routine, making the best of a life that she had not planned for. That all changes when Katy accidently sends an inappropriate email, meant for her sister, to her clients’ architect, Liam Scott. She could have never suspected, in her wildest imagination, what ends up transpiring. The extremely charming Liam offers Katy the role of her lifetime. Although cautious, she is captivated by him and willingly submits to his intriguing proposition. Under his control, Liam becomes a dominant presence in Katy’s life, guiding her through the darkness, as a strong bond develops. Ending up on an unexpected journey of self-discovery, Katy realizes her comfortable lifestyle with her cheating husband does not even compare to the one Liam introduces her to and the one she has always been destined for. She was lost in unhappiness until he came into her life and she blindly followed him as he led her to understanding who she is, Naturally His.



C.R. Lemons
“I have such an active imagination and I truly enjoy transcribing it into words. As I am writing, the people, places, and things come to life before me and I completely lose myself. Writing is my meditation. I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them. Thank you and happy reading.” After receiving a degree in paralegal studies, C. R. Lemons was a paralegal for many years until deciding on a career change of currently managing her award-winning, family-owned business. As a child, she would sneak her mom’s romance novels and lose herself in them. She always had an active imagination and dreamt of sharing it through writing. This dream finally came true with her published catalog... a five novel erotic thriller series, Getting Him Off; a romantic comedy novella, The Mysterious Mr. Blackstone; a Dom/sub erotic romance novel, Naturally His; and, her two poetry collections, Naughtiness is Contagious, An Orgy of Erotic Poetry, and Poetic Nympho. For the latest list of books by C. R. Lemons, please visit her website at http://www.crlemons.com. As an erotic thriller novelist, C. R. Lemons is a self-proclaimed occasional naughty poet. Her love of writing started through poetry in her teens. She was inspired to start writing poetry again and found a talent in the erotica. C. R. Lemons is a native Texan who enjoys her coffee strong, her music rockin’ and her life full of laughter.
Social Media Links
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8301290.C_R_Lemons
Twitter: @CR_Lemons
Website: http://www.crlemons.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/C-R-Lemons/1499628743602249?fref=ts
Steel Rogers
Steel Rogers lives and works in Denver, Colorado. Naturally His is his first collaboration with another writer and his humorous memoir will soon be published. He enjoys travelling abroad, concerts, and baseball. Please visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Steel-Rogers-1419375148085081 to connect with Steel Rogers.

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"Swashbuckling adventure" #BookReview Captive by @Zblakebooks #DarkErotica

"Swashbuckling adventure" #BookReview Captive by @Zblakebooks #DarkErotica



Title: Captive
Author: Zoe Blake
Publication Date: August 2017
#captivereleaseblitz

This book is a rerelease of the previously titled, “Captive of Chance”.
Captain Jacques “Le Chanceux” (The Lucky) Tavernier is a pirate. He is not the bastard son of a wealthy duke, or some tortured hero in disguise on a noble quest. He is a pirate. He does and takes what he wants... and he wants Isabelle.
Isabelle is getting very tired of not controlling her own fate. First, her father ships her off to England to marry some decrepit lord, and now pirates have attacked the ship and taken her captive. No longer willing to be biddable and obedient, Isabelle decides to fight the pirate captain at every turn, even when his forceful seduction and creative punishments give as much pleasure as pain. The fate of Isabelle’s companion, Marina, is no better. Claimed by not one but two pirates to be used for their own dark pleasure.
Isabelle is playing a dangerous game. Denying a pirate something he wants is never a good idea, especially when that pirate is powerful, handsome and determined to bend you to his will. Will Isabelle’s pirate captor become her master, or will she capture his heart?


BOOK REVIEW


Get ready to set sail on a swashbuckling adventure with pirates and fair maidens with this story.
Captain Jacques attacks a merchant ship bound for England on which noble born Isabelle and Marina her companion are travelling they are taken captive, Isabelle by Jacques and Marina by twin brothers Drake and Gregor who share everything.

I dare say Captain Jacques is no Cap'n Jack Sparrow. He certainly didn't have the latter's likeability. Jacques is a man who takes what he want, even a helpless woman. Isabelle, however, is no pushover and she does make him work for it, even though it results in punishments.

This story was a little darker than I expected. There are non-consensual and dubious consensual scenes. So be warned. Also the 'helicopter' omnipresent POV didn't work for me. It kept pulling me out of the story when I wanted to get into the character's heads, feel their emotions and see things through their perspectives.

Once you get use to the story telling style, this is an exciting story full of adventure and eroticism. I wouldn't necessarily want to be captured by Cap'n Jacques in my fantasy but I can see that he will appeal to those who enjoy non-con/dub-con erotica.


Reviewed by

Disclaimer: I volunteered to review this book





CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The alarm bell startled the two women out of a deep, if not restful, sleep. Sitting up in their cots, they looked about the small cramped cabin in confusion.
“What could it be, miss?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea, but there is only one way to find out.”
Isabelle grabbed her dressing gown from the end of the cot and swung it over her shoulders as she approached the cabin door. She felt a tug on her nightgown and looked to see her companion, Marina, holding tight.
“Don’t do it, miss. Let’s just stay here till the captain comes.”
Pulling the fabric free, Isabelle continued to the door. “Posh! If there is something truly going on, we cannot wait for that old blowhard to come and let us know!”
Isabelle, well to be correct, Esmerelda Leonor Isabelle Catalina de Recalde el Rojo, did not cower easily. Perhaps it was her father’s Spanish blood or even her mother’s English courage. One thing was certain, she did not possess the gentile temperament of the typical female or the patience, for that matter.
Releasing the latch, she threw open the door to a chaotic scene.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Seaman were scrambling about in various states of undress while the cabin boy, who had been bringing them their meals during the long voyage, vigorously rang the sleep depriving bell.
“All hands! All hands on deck! Captain’s orders!” he shouted over and over again.
“You there. Boy! Boy!” shouted Isabelle. “Yes, you!” she clarified when he gave her a confused look as if surprised to see a partially dressed woman addressing him. “What is going on?”
“Pirates! There are pirates! We’re about to be attacked! Best get back inside and bar the door,” said the boy impatiently as he went back to his duty.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Isabelle quickly shut the door, threw the latch and turned and braced her back against it for good measure.
“Oh lord! Oh lord! Oh lord!” wailed Marina. She had signed on as companion to the fancy lady for a bit of adventure and fun. True she was hoping to catch the eye of some strapping young seaman because what was adventure without a lusty man by your side, but she did not sign up for pirates!
“Stop that nonsense, Marina! I need to think,” groused Isabelle. Then feeling poorly for shouting at her frightened companion, she crossed the cabin and gave her a quick hug.
“We cannot panic. The captain may be a slovenly man, but he runs a good merchant ship. I’m sure they are prepared and have fought off, well, hundreds of pirate attacks with great success.” Isabelle said with a false sense of confidence.
“Do you really think so, miss?” asked Marina, her eyes filled with hope and fear.
No. “Why of course, I think so!” she said with authority. “Now help me out of my nightgown and into my corset and dress. If we are to be attacked, I don’t want them finding me in my skivy!”
Marina went to do as she was bid while Isabelle was left to ponder for a moment the real possibility of being taken captive by pirates. Her father was a wealthy Spanish noble. Ransom would not be an issue. She could provide the pirates with plenty of gold and jewels, but was that all they would ask of her? She shuddered at the thought.
How bitterly ironic, Isabelle thought. When she set out on this journey, her every thought was how very much she did not want to reach her destination. Fate was cruel. Isabelle had been forced by her parents to leave her beloved warm and sunny Azores islands to travel to cold and dank England to become the betrothed of some stodgy, old English lord. Even the painted miniature he had sent with his marriage proposal showed a thin hairline and at least two chins. One had to assume the painter was being judiciously kind, and in actuality her betrothed had even less hair and probably one or two additional chins!
She had begged, pleaded, stormed and stomped but to no avail. Her parents were stalwart. She would marry the English lord and secure an English title for the family. Her parents also felt Isabelle’s upbringing on the somewhat remote colony island was leading to “unladylike” behavior as her mother put it. They were sending her back to the continent not a moment too soon in their minds.
So it was Isabelle, who found herself alone with only a hired companion for company on a merchant vessel bound for England. In the hold were trunks of silks, jewels and gold. Her dowry. Her father had chosen the well-armed vessel to carry his precious cargo. The galleon had at least fifteen guns. But would it be a match for a pirate ship?
“Not that one, Marina,” said Isabelle when a satin walking dress was pulled out of their trunks. “The heavy worsted wool one.”
“What, miss?”
“The worsted wool one!” shouted Isabelle.
The noise and clamor all around them was getting louder. Above their heads they could hear the pounding of boots and the screeching scrape of wood on metal as the thirty-six pound long guns were rolled towards the gun ports. Indistinct shouts and curses filtered through the wooden beamed ceiling of their cabin. Even without hearing the words, both women could tell from the excited tenor of the shouts, the seamen were scared.
“Hurry, Marina! Hurry!” urged Isabelle.
When both women were dressed in their warmest gowns, they sat on the cot and waited and listened. All the harried activity had suddenly stopped. There was a strange, tense calm.
BOOM! Silence. BOOM!
The women screamed and held their hands over their ears as the whole ship shook and rattled as each long gun was fired. Dust and debris were shaken loose from the ceiling and fell down on them like rain. Marina clutched desperately at the lapels of Isabelle’s dress. Isabelle held the frightened woman tightly to her side. Rubbing a soothing hand down her back, she said, “The sound of the guns is a good thing. I’ll bet they are sending those nasty pirates scattering away.”
Marina raised her head off Isabelle’s shoulder and gave her a look filled with doubt. Isabelle’s attempt to soothe and calm had fallen short. Unfortunately, even she didn’t believe her words anymore.
Her inherent lack of patience came to the fore. Isabelle jumped up and grabbed Marina’s hand. “Come. We cannot stay here like two geese for the slaughter!”
“But where are we to go? It must be safer in the cabin!” complained Marina.
“If they take the ship, they will search the cabins and the hold for treasure. We must find a place to hide where they will not think to look. Hopefully, none of the seamen will betray there are women on board. Now come on!” shouted Isabelle as she forcibly dragged a trembling Marina out the cabin door.
The passageway was strangely quiet compared to the chaos moments before. All the men were above deck fighting off the attack. Isabelle continued to drag Marina down the passageway where they came to a steep wooden ladder leading down to the hold. “This way. Mind your skirts,” ordered Isabelle as she awkwardly descended the ladder. Reaching the wooden floor beneath, she helped Marina on the last few rungs. Taking a look around the dimly lit interior, Isabelle saw the entire space stacked with crates, provisions for the voyage, and trunks. Somewhere in this mess was her dowry trunk, she thought queerly.
“This should be a good hiding place,” offered Marina as she took in all the dark nooks and crannies.
“Usually I would agree, but they will probably come straight to the hold to see what cargo the vessel is carrying. We would be found out. No,” said Isabelle, “we have to go further. Somewhere they won’t think to look.”
Isabelle tried to calm herself and think back to all those boring dinners in the officer’s quarters she had suffered through the past few weeks. They often talked about the ship.
“The bilge!” said Isabelle. “We need to head to the bilge.”
“The bilge? That sounds awful!” whined Marina.
“If what I remember from the officer’s comments, I’m afraid it is going to smell even worse.” groaned Isabelle.
They stumbled and groped their way through the hold, making their way to the back and the side of the ship.
“The bilge is the lowest part of the ship and quite nasty with water and such. There will be no reason for the pirates to go there,” explained Isabelle as she tried not to breathe through her nose the closer they got.
Leaning against the side of the ship, she gingerly stepped into the cold, foul smelling water and lowered herself into a crouch. Pulling Marina down by her side, once again they waited and listened. The sounds of battle were muffled from their low perch. They could better hear the lapping of the waves against the side of the ship. After what seemed liked hours, even the faint sounds of gunfire died out. As much as they were praying for the roaring sounds to cease, the silence was worse. Much worse.
The women were left to wonder what was happening far above them. Had they won? Isabelle cursed her current fate under her breath.
* * *
“You have lost, Captain, but have good cheer. By surrendering, you have saved the lives of, well, what’s left of your valiant crew,” said the pirate captain sardonically as he stood over the prostrate merchant ship’s captain.
“I’ll see you hanged for this!” ground out the man.
The pirate captain sighed. Turning to his first mate, he said, “Why do they always say that? After I was being so pleasant.”
“They don’t always say it. The last bloke said he would see you drawn and quartered,” answered the first mate helpfully.
“That is true. And that puff piece of a captain before that did say he wanted my head on a pike,” offered the pirate captain with amusement. “But on the whole, I’d say I get threatened with ol’ Jack Ketch the most.”
“Fairly put,” said the first mate.
The two men made a striking pair.
The pirate captain stood well over six feet with broad shoulders emphasized all the more by his narrow hips and wide-legged stance. His swarthy complexion from years spent at sea and shoulder-length jet-black hair gave him a sinister air. The malevolent appearance was helped by the leather brace that held no fewer than five loaded pistols. Attired in unrelenting black, with shiny black knee high boots and a long, black oilskin coat, it was no wonder hardy seamen trembled at his approach.
He was Captain Jacques Tavernier “Le Chanceux”, The Lucky. Named so for the countless attacks he had survived without so much as a scratch. He was legendary among his men and beyond. Called Captain by his men and Chance by his friends, of which there was only one, his first mate Drake.
Drake stood only an inch shorter than his captain. His almost white blond hair a stark contrast. Although it would be a deadly mistake to assume Drake was any less formidable. Standing by his captain’s side since they were two young bilge rats swabbing the deck of an English navy ship, he was fiercely loyal and just as fierce in battle.
Chance placed his cutlass under the chin of the merchant vessel’s captain, forcing him to meet his gaze. “Now, good sir, why don’t you tell me about the cargo you are about to gift to me for sparing your life.”
“Go to the devil,” spat out the merchant captain.
“Tsk, tsk. Such manners,” admonished Chance before leaning down on his haunches and whispering in a low and threatening voice, “Bravado such as that gets a man killed. So unless you want me to slit your ungrateful throat from ear to ear and add your blood to this deck, I suggest you speak with more respect, vous comprenez?”
The merchant captain nodded his head slightly, not wishing to cut himself on the razor sharp cutlass that was still wedged against his throat.
“Bien! So let’s try this again. What nice trinkets can we expect from your hold?” asked Chance.
“We stopped in the Americas before the islands. I carry tobacco, sugar and cotton. There is also a dowry chest full of gold and silks. It is yours if you leave my ship and crew unharmed,” stammered out the merchant captain.
“It already is mine,” laughed Chance before turning to his first mate. “Drake, be so good as to direct the crew to empty the hold of our bounty. Leave enough food provisions to get the merchant crew to the nearest port,” ordered Chance. While having a bloodthirsty reputation during an attack, Chance was known for his benevolence once a ship surrendered… as long as they cooperated.
“Yes, Captain,” responded Drake sharply before ordering some deck hands to help him below in the hold.
Turning back to the anxious merchant captain, Chance asked in a calm tone that belied the question, “Now, Captain, shall we discuss the woman you have hidden on board? The one who belongs to the dowry chest?” he helpfully provided when it looked like the merchant captain was about to deny it.
It was too late. The merchant captain realized his terrible error. Not being one to protect a woman over his own hide, he willingly told the pirate captain all he wanted to know about his beautiful passenger.


USA Today and International Best Selling Author in Dark Romance
We are all attracted to the forbidden. Addicted to the rush we get from reading something naughty...something kinky. We love to lose ourselves in the fantasy. The powerful lord who sweeps the lady away to his remote estate to ravish her. The cowboy who takes the sassy city girl over his knee to teach her a lesson. The devilishly charming pirate who seduces his beautiful captive. I write those erotic fantasies.
Dark Romance Historical Titles
The Submission of Little Emmie
Disciplining the Maid
Penelope’s Punishment
Chosen to be His Little Angeline
The Duke’s Possession
Captive
Papa’s Little Pain Princess
His Dark Obsession
The Dark Forest Anthology
Contemporary Titles
Worth Fighting For
Ride Hard Historical Western Series
The Cowboy’s Revenge, Book One
The Gunfighter’s Pursuit, Book Two
The Rebel’s Secret, Book Three
Box Sets
Little Victorian Ladies
A Little Submission
Check out Zoe’s Website at https://zblakebooks.com/
Twitter: @Zblakebooks
Instagram: Zblakebooks
Pinterest: Zblakebooks
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