Congratulations to Laura Kaye on her newest release, Hard As You Can. To celebrate, I'm sharing and excerpt and giveaway.
Laura will also be hosting a Facebook party for HARD AS YOU CAN on 2/25 from 12-9pm EST Join here: https://www.facebook.com/events/416084181828110
Series: Hard Ink #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: 2/25/14
Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.
Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.
Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.
It’s
release day! And I’m so excited to share Hard
As You Can, the second book in the Hard Ink series, with all of you here
today! Hard As You Can follows the
surviving members of a disgraced Army Special Forces team as they fight to
regain their stolen honor, and finds their investigation crossing paths with a
waitress willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive and protect her younger
sister. For Shane McCallan, saving Crystal Dean is a mission he refuses to turn
down.
Today,
I’ve got a super sexy scene to share with you, one that was a total surprise to
me as I was writing it! I hope you enjoy this peek at the first time Shane and
Crystal find themselves alone with each other:
“Do
you like to dance, Crystal?” Shane asked in a low voice.
“Uh,
what? Why?”
His
smile was crooked, playful. “ ’Cause dancing’s something people do when they’re
getting to know each other.”
“Really?”
Maybe where he was from. Then again, she worked in a strip club. Dancing was
something people did to make money. So, okay, maybe her view of dancing was a
bit jaded.
“Absolutely.
Ask anybody.” The song faded away, followed by the announcement of a Southern
rock station’s call sign. A new song started, and Shane turned to her with a
smile. “Dance with me.”
Crystal
peered up at him without the slightest idea how to respond. Because her body
was saying hell, yes!, while her brain was screaming bad idea,
really, really bad idea.
He
stepped closer, arms raised, expression full of all kinds of invitation.
The
next thing she knew, her right hand was in his and her left had slipped around
his neck. Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod, ran over and over in her
mind. What am I doing? But then he tucked her hand against his chest and
tugged her against him with the hand that settled at her lower back. And the
closeness stole her breath.
He
moved them to the beat of the song, a slow, sexy, bluesy number she didn’t know
but would never forget. Some songs carried memories like the images were
imprinted upon the very lyrics themselves, and she had no doubt this would be
one of them.
All
of a sudden, the air in the room felt ten degrees warmer. As they swayed to the
beat, Shane’s body pressed against hers from thighs to chest. With every step
and move and turn, Crystal’s breasts rubbed against the hard plane of his chest.
Strong hands held and guided her body, making her want to feel them explore her
everywhere. Arousal rose like a waking dragon inside her. Cautious. Curious.
Dangerous.
This
was wrong and stupid on so many levels. But, scary as it was, it felt so
freaking good that she couldn’t force herself to pull away. One song. It’s
just a dance. Just a dance just a dance just a dance.
And,
holy crap, she wasn’t the only one aroused.
Against
her belly, Shane hardened.
Crystal
sucked in a breath, and he pressed his lips close to her ear. “We’re just
dancing here. That’s all. I promise,” he said. But the adrenaline was already
in her blood, setting her to a trembling she couldn’t control. Part curious
interest and part instinctive fear. “Sshh,” he almost cooed. “Just dancing.”
The
echo of her own thoughts from a moment before allowed her to draw a breath that
almost calmed. They turned and swayed to the music, moving closer, pressing tighter,
Shane’s lips so close to her face that she could feel his breath shudder across
her cheekbone.
He
was a fire she had no business playing with. She knew that even as she leaned her
face against his . . . and got exactly what she’d hoped for.
He
kissed her.
Just
a brush of his lips against her cheek, but a kiss all the same.
And
as much as it made her head spin, it was the little catch of breath in the back
of his throat that sent a jolt of electricity down her spine to settle low in
her belly. Light as a feather, he caressed her cheek, her temple, her ear with
his lips. With him, always such gentleness, so different from almost every other
sexual experience she’d ever had. It made her feel safe to allow this to
continue.
Between
them, his erection was firm, long, totally unyielding.
She
shivered, caught between interest and fear, desire a river moving faster and
faster inside her. The whole experience was a revelation—that her body had the capacity
to respond this way, that a person existed who could pull these reactions from
her.
For
a moment, she gave herself over to the dizzying sensations. In her mind’s eye,
she saw them undressing, fumbling their way back the hall, falling naked and wanting
on the bed. What would it be like, just once, to take something that she wanted
without worrying about anyone else, without being afraid? Just one wild, secret
night, all for her? What would Shane be like?
So that’s Shane
and Crystal for you! Did you have a favorite line? Thanks for reading! ~Laura
Read an Extended Excerpt of Book 1, Hard As It Gets
Hard Ink Series
(cover lead to GoodReads)
GIVEAWAY
About
the author
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That is a great excerpt very sweet but also very sexy. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSweet and sexy - my favorite kind.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a wicked steamy series. thanks for sharing, and for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteI know what a big fan that you are of this series! I need to check it out! Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteHeh this is going to end up being another series I read thanks to Andrea ;) but I love the sound of it
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing this everywhere today! This book (series!) sounds great!
ReplyDeleteGreat scene, I loved this part
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read the first book!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book. Loved Shane, though Nick is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI still need to read Shane. I just haven't been all that motivated and that bums me out, because I was so looking forward to Shane. :/
ReplyDelete