Jude’s Blog

Cobblestone Press has contracted my second erotic romance, which is the paranormal continuation of my A Modern Myth trilogy. Following is an unedited sneak peak at the first chapter of Drew’s Awakening:

A few hours later Sara and Tina stood beside the table and watched the men play. “Leo’s hot, huh?”
Sara choked on her beer and gaped at Tina. She tried to shrug and act disinterested.
Tina laughed. “I know you like him, don’t deny it.”
Sara blushed and looked toward the game. Leo saw her and waved.
“How do you know him?” She asked Tina, waving back.
“He’s my instructor.”
That got Sara’s attention, and she gave her friend a questioning look.
Tina laughed at her raised eyebrows. “He’s teaching me to drive a motorcycle.”
Sara cringed and looked at Leo serving the ball. He took off his shirt, and she watched the muscles in his chest and abdomen as he stretched to spike the ball. Her gaze lingered on his well-sculpted torso and marveled over his tan skin. “I didn’t know you wanted to learn.” She imagined her friend seated between Leo’s spread thighs on a cycle, and the surge of jealousy surprised her.
“Yeah, for a while now. You should learn, too.”
Even as she shook her head Sara debated the thought. It would give her a reason to see him again. It hadn’t been too bad riding his earlier.
“Does he ride with you?” Her face fell as Tina shook her head.
“I practice on my own bike.” A smile crept across her friend’s face. “You can ask him to ride with you. I’m sure he won’t mind.” She playfully bumped Sara’s hip for emphasis. Sara blushed redder as she noticed Leo watching them. “Maybe I should rejoin the game.”
Not giving Tina a chance to respond, Sara ran over to the net. Leo smiled as she neared.
“How’s the birthday girl?”
She took a deep breath before responding. “I just realized my groceries are probably getting too hot in your cycle. Can you take me home so I can put them in the fridge?”
His eyes widened slightly. “Now? Sure.” He walked over to retrieve his shirt, pulling it on as they walked along the shore.
“We’ll be right back.” She called to Tina, who winked at her with a knowing grin.
“Take your time. We’ll be here all night.”

When they got to the cycle, Sara sucked in her breath for the nerve to ask the impossible. “You want to check on your stuff before we leave?”
His question threw her at first, and she stared blankly at him.
“Your food?” He clarified.
She gasped, forgetting her excuse for them to leave the party. “Sure.” She held her breath as he leaned over the bike, her gaze moving over his ass, the denim stretching across its tautness.
Leo looked over his shoulder and caught her stare. His lips softened in a smile as his gaze traveled her shapely curves. She took the bag from him and busied herself with checking inside, though she didn’t really look. Her mind stayed on the sexy man in front of her.
“Can I ride in front?” She braced herself for his response, which didn’t come. Sara slowly looked up to meet his unreadable expression.
“That’s not really safe,” he finally said.
She shrugged. “Guess I’m feeling a bit reckless.” She hoped he couldn’t see her trembling with fear.
Leo sighed. “Where do you live, Sara?” He looked thoughtful after she told him. “Sure, why not. Hop on.”
Not expecting it, her eyes widened. “I, uh…” She stammered, unable to speak.
A corner of Leo’s mouth moved up as he held out a hand. “Come on, don’t be scared.” Sara shook her head. “I’m not scared.”
To prove her point, she walked over to the cycle and mounted it. In an instant Leo was nestled behind her, and Sara sighed. His arms slid across her ribcage to grip the handles. She shivered in the forced embrace, closing her eyes with a deeper sigh. Lifting himself to start the cycle, his crotch slid down her back as he reseated. Sara, happy he couldn’t see her face, licked her lips.
As the cycle jerked forward, she dug her fingers into his thighs and closed her eyes. Sara laughed and screamed at the same time.
She feared opening her eyes and kept her back pressed to Leo’s warm chest. The air was cool, but his enveloping heat kept the chill away. Sara just began to relax when the bike stopped. She opened her eyes to see her apartment. Unable to move at first, her hands remained on his thighs. Leo’s hands covered hers and squeezed. She looked down and smiled. His chin rested on her shoulder, and their cheeks touched. Wanting to stay like that forever, her eyes fluttered closed.
“Don’t forget about your food.” His voice broke the spell, and Sara sucked in her breath, forcing a nod.
“Right,” she muttered and crawled off the bike.
Leo held her elbow to keep her from stumbling. “Should I wait here?”
She froze. Did she want him in her apartment? Hadn’t that been the reason for them leaving her party? “I might be awhile. You can come in if you want.”
His nonchalant shrug looked strangely sensual to Sara, and she fought licking her lips. She gestured toward her home and then led the way, taking a deep breath as she carried her bag of food. Nothing really needed to be kept cool, but she wanted to be alone with him. He’s a stranger, she reminded herself as she unlocked the door. Sara could feel Leo’s breath on the back of her neck, but he didn’t touch her. Would he?
She unlocked and opened the front door, stepping into the living room. The cool air inside made a sharp contrast to the moist heat from outside and chill bumps rose on her arms. Sara resisted the urge to rub them as she held out an arm to the couch. Leo looked around the small room, which was barely large enough for the couch and TV stand. His gaze lingered on the wide screen monitor, and she shrugged.
“It’s too big for the room, I know, but I couldn’t resist it. Don’t need to go to the movie theaters now.” She gave him a sheepish smile, and he nodded but didn’t move from the door, merely closed it behind him. The kitchen was directly off the living room but visible from the front door. She could feel Leo watching her as she carried her grocery bag to the fridge. Not caring to put anything away right then, she merely put the full bag inside and then leaned against the appliance once she’d closed it. Her gaze met Leo’s across the room. His face was mostly in shadow, but she could still see his eyes.
“I need to get cleaned up. Didn’t expect you to take me to my own party.” A nervous giggle slipped out, and she cringed.
“No problem,” he said with a grin, his expression unreadable.
Sara nodded, sidestepping the kitchen and then backing out of the living room. “Make yourself comfortable,” she suggested, pointing at the couch. Closing the door to her bedroom but leaving it unlocked, she placed her forehead to the cool wood and took a deep breath. She had been stalked in the other room and wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Something told Sara that she wouldn’t mind being that man’s prey. Smiling at such a thought, she pushed away from the door and began to strip off her clothes.
Sara felt a bit wicked getting naked with a man in the other room, especially a man like Leo, a man she barely knew. She caught her reflection in the closet mirror and smiled at the flush in her cheeks. Her gazed traveled down her nakedness, wondering if Leo would appreciate her flawless dark skin. She shook her head at her own foolishness, heading for the bathroom. Turning on the shower and testing the water, she stepped under the hot spray.
Sara enjoyed the water coursing through her hair and down her body. After washing her hair and soaping up her body, she fantasized that her hands were Leo’s. His hands followed hers from her breasts, down her stomach and between her legs. His soapy fingers delved through the black curls to slip inside her body. Throwing her head back with a sigh, she held her breath as the shower door slid open.

1. Osei Christian Says:
   March 2nd, 2010 at 6:52 pm

   hmmm what happens next

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