Sunset Beach Sizzle

Sunset Beach Sizzle

Release date: 9.19.2014
Novella length, e-book, contemporary erotic romance
$2.99

Sunset Beach Sizzle
(Tropical Heat Series #I) (novella/e-book)

When their intense attraction proves irresistible in a “strictly no fraternizing” law firm, divorce attorneys Julia and Cisco find a sweet recipe for relief: a week’s summer vacation on Oahu, sunny beaches and all the sex they can stand. But neither can predict the depth of feelings that grow from their increasingly sensual encounters. Cisco’s plans to leave the Denver firm for one closer to his hometown in Atlanta quickly throw him into a quandary. He’s falling in love and wants more, but will one week be enough time to convince Julia to give their relationship a chance?

Julia has witnessed her share of ugly, bitter break-ups, including her parents’ marriage and her own with Cisco’s controlling older brother. She’s dismayed to discover Cisco has captured her heart with his optimism, charm and the hottest sex she’s ever known. She hides her feelings while Cisco uses his full arsenal of seductive tactics to make her see that what they’re experiencing together is rare and worth fighting for. With time running out, Julia must decide whether to take a chance on love and a risky career move, or play it safe and lose the man she loves.

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EXCERPT (contains explicit sexual language and content):

Getting lei’d wasn’t high on Julia Abernathy’s list of things to experience during her week in Hawaii. Getting laid was. Hard and fast, slow and sensual, multi-orgasmic, a little variety or a lot. That wasn’t so much to ask, was it?

She pulled into the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and left her rented Jeep with the valet, smiling at the appreciative heat in his gaze. Sorry, Charlie, no can do. This low cut, slit-high-up-the-thigh outfit was carefully chosen with one man and only one man in mind. Cisco Phillips.

They’d been dancing around an affair for months, driving each other crazy. Late at night on the 23rd floor of the Hessler building, located in the Denver Technological Center, they traded smoldering looks, flirted and played footsies under the conference table while preparing legal briefs and going over witness testimony.

Footsies, for crying out loud. At twenty-nine, she was too old for this shit. Twelve weeks of waiting and wanting and creaming her panties. Eighty-four days of circumspect, professional behavior on the surface until she’d wanted to scream.

Eighty-five, counting today.

“Aloha, Miss Abernathy. Welcome to the Hilton Hawaiian Village.” The desk clerk beamed happily. She continued with her practiced speech and Julia nodded at the appropriate pauses, managing to go through the check-in process without snapping at the woman to get on with it. Cisco could be upstairs waiting for her right now.

“Oh. One moment. There’s a notation here. You have a message.” The young woman disappeared for a few seconds and returned with an envelope. “Here we go.”

Hotel stationery. Was Cisco here already?

What if he didn’t show? Unable to stand the gnawing hunger that ate at her every time he was within visual distance, she’d issued a cryptic ultimatum that could be explained away, should anyone else find it and question its content.

A window of opportunity is closing. Seize the day.

Subterfuge was necessary. Immediately after her divorce from Bruce Priddy, the partners suddenly issued a no-tolerance rule about fraternization among employees. At Bruce’s insistence, she was sure. Though the rule was largely ignored, Julia had no doubt her ex would be happy to make an example of her.

Having an affair with her ex’s younger half-brother would be salt in the wound. So, she’d been cryptic.

The next day, she’d found an all expenses paid vacation packet on her desk. A week on Oahu. The yellow sticky note inside had simply said, Join me? Si.

She loved the clever way he’d turned his initial into a Spanish “yes.” With his dusky skin, dark hair and eyes, he’d been mistaken for Latino more than once.

Taking charge was a good feeling. Unlike some men, Cisco hadn’t seemed to mind.

“Enjoy your stay. And if there’s anything —”

With her key card in hand, Julia waved the clerk into silence, ripped the envelope open and hesitated. What if he’d changed his mind? She didn’t want to deal with the disappointment in front of all these people.

“Do you know when this message was left and by what means?”

The young woman tapped her keyboard with rapid precision. “It was left shortly after the reservation confirmed. Sent by e-mail.”

“Thank you.” Julia breathed easier, crooked her index finger at a stout but handsome bellhop and met him halfway.

“I’m in the Lagoon Tower. Is that far?” She pointed at her stilettos. “I’m in a hurry.”

“I’ll get a golf cart and meet you right through those doors, ma’am. There’s a bench just outside.”

She took his suggestion and sat, letting her fingers glide over the surface of the envelope. Gentle sea breezes moved over her skin, lifting her hair away from her neck, drying a fine sheen of perspiration. At this rate, she’d need a shower by the time she arrived at the suite Cisco had reserved. Visions of them wrapped together filled her head — naked, steam rising, his erection nudging her opening.

She sucked in a deep breath, pressing one hand against the rapid thumping in her chest. His skin would make a fabulous contrast next to her fair complexion. She’d never seen him in anything but business attire, but she had a vivid imagination. From the excellent fit of his suits and tailored shirts, she knew his body was in excellent shape. After hours, he sometimes shed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. Pitiful that the memory of such a small expanse of hair-dusted skin made her even hornier.

He topped out just under six feet, more streamlined than the muscle-bound guys that frequented her gym. Just the right height, even when she wore heels. And don’t even get her started on what his deep-set, soulful, coffee-colored eyes did to her.

Where was that damn bellhop? Her lashes fluttered down and she fanned herself with the envelope, willing the tiny throb in her clit to cease.

Ten minutes later she stood alone in a lovely, air-conditioned suite, more island-plush than richly luxurious. A suite. Two bedrooms. What the hell did that mean?

No more. She had to know what was in the note. Sinking onto a butter-yellow sofa, she withdrew a single sheet and unfolded it.

Arriving on a slightly later flight. Wait for me. C.

That’s it? A growl emerged from deep in her throat. She wadded the paper and threw it across the room. Though she’d do so for Cisco, Julia Abernathy ordinarily waited for no man. They came to her, eager to please, her fair, girl-next-door looks and big blue eyes giving them the impression she was approachable. At work, at the gym, at the grocery store. Out of necessity, she’d frozen them out, thawing occasionally for carefully selected choices. Carefully selected because they were career driven and unlikely to want anything more than casual and fleeting. It was the one area of her life where she felt like she had some measure of control. After she’d escaped her marriage to Bruce, she’d resolved to never again acquiesce to a man.

With Cisco, she’d melted into a puddle. He haunted her dreams and figured prominently in her days. He was all she could think about. But this was just a fling, the situation temporary. Like it or not, she had no choice but to wait.

*

Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait. Cisco was damn tired of the concept by the time he reached the hotel just after 11 p.m. By rights he should be exhausted, and mentally, he was. An energy ran through his body that had nothing to do with what he’d eaten or drunk that day, or the nap he’d gotten on the plane. It had everything to do with the woman who waited for him, the woman he’d had more unfulfilled erections over than any other, the woman who’d tied him in knots for what seemed like forever.

He hoped she’d waited.

Pulling his suitcase behind him, he stuck his key card in the lock and pushed his way inside. One small lamp threw a soft glow across the living area and entry way. Nice touch. No one had left a light burning for him since his mother back in high school.

His gaze swept around the room, noting all the interior doors stood open. A quick check revealed no Julia, but both beds were turned down. What was that supposed to mean?

Leaving his luggage in the entryway, he investigated further. Toiletries lined one end of a vanity. If she wasn’t here, she’d planned on coming back. He could live with that. Barely.

A white square of paper lay in the middle of the marble top. He opened it and smiled. Julia’s clean bill of health. He pulled an identical sheet from his front pocket and placed it over hers. Seemed they were both thorough and considerate. He lifted a bottle of perfume to his nose and inhaled her fragrance, his cock springing to life.

Down, boy. We’ve got to find her first. And do a little groveling, if he knew women.

No need to check the other bedroom, and he’d seen the living area and small kitchen on the way in. She must have gone downstairs to one of the bars. But which one? Maybe that light hadn’t been for him after all. The thought brought with it a stab of disappointment.

He unbuttoned his dress shirt, pulled it free of his pants and rolled up his sleeves. Next he slipped off his shoes and stepped out onto the lanai. It was dark, but warm, with barely a sliver of moon in the sky. Far below him, tiki torches wavered around a pool. He leaned on the railing, bracing himself with his hands. A briny breeze ruffled his hair and shirt, bringing the ocean to him. He closed his eyes, the tension he’d felt all day easing somewhat.

“Ah, Julia. Where the hell are you?” He threw the quiet words out into the darkness, not expecting an answer, and sighed heavily.

The first touch, roaming feather-like over his shoulder, he attributed to another wild daydream that would leave him hard and aching. The second touch came at his waist, more definite than the first, feminine fingers tracing the band of his pants from side to front.

He drew in a shaky breath and captured her hand beneath his own. His chin lifted skyward in a silent prayer of thanks. “I’m sorry about —”

“Shh. It doesn’t matter.” She hugged him from behind, her forehead resting between his shoulder blades. “You’re here now.”

“Really? I thought you’d be pissed.” Damn, it felt good, having her hands on him, but it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough. With Julia, he was afraid there might never be enough.

“I was. More hurt than pissed when it got late and you didn’t show, then I started worrying. I imagined all sorts of terrible things.”

“Again, I’m sorry. The plane had mechanical trouble. I figured different flights might allay suspicion if Bruce checks —”

“Now you want to talk? I can’t get a half dozen words out of you in three months and now you want to talk?”

“I’m not that reticent.” He tugged on her hand, raising one arm to bring her around to his side. She came into view, robbing him of oxygen with a sheer negligee so pale blue it appeared almost white. Bustier, tiny panties and sheer thigh-high stockings completed the ensemble. “Wow.”

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed the transformation. At work, she wore her naturally blonde hair twisted up in the back, minimal makeup, pea-sized pearl earrings and suits both feminine and conservative. The look screamed debutante ice princess.

Here she’d become a siren. Her hair flowed softly around her shoulders, the ends gently lifting in the breeze. She done something to make her eyes more sultry and darkened her full lips, though he couldn’t make out the exact shade in the dim light.

The professional Julia was familiar, comfortable. This one made him feel like a teenager on his first real date. Cisco stepped back, letting his arm fall away from her, and stroked four fingers back and forth across his brow.

“I just realized we don’t know each other. Not really.”

“Sure we do.”

“I rarely saw you when you were with Bruce. We’ve never even been on a date, or talked much beyond work and case law.” He stopped and shook his head, realizing how lame it sounded. Julia’s note might have urged him to make a move, but they both knew the purpose of coming here. Sex, sex and more sex. He was ready for it. Beyond primed. But the long flight provided time to think.

He wanted more from Julia than a sexual relationship, had found himself wishing they could meet at the gym and work out together, wondered what movies she’d like to see. Could he live with a week-long summer fling and walk away?

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Reviews for Sunset Beach Sizzle:

“Sunset Beach Sizzle is a nice read for a rainy afternoon or a snowy night.” Alberta, 4.5* review, Manic Rdrs
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“Cisco sounds like a dream of a guy!” Alberta, 4.5* review, Manic Rdrs
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“A Sizzling Good Read…romantic and touching”–BlueEyes, 5* review
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