Battles on the Field and in the Heart...Wounded Warrior Series

Hello, J.M. Northup and Simone Beaudelaire, welcome to SASSE Sheets. I appreciate you spending the day with us here. So, excited to talk to the two of you and find out more about your books and the writing duo.

 

JM Northup: Please, call me Julie and thank you for inviting us today.  We are excited to be here!

 

SASSE: Tell the readers a little about yourselves. How did this writing team come about?

 

Simone Beaudelaire: We met through our publisher, Creativia, but I quickly discovered Julie and I had a lot in common. We became friends. Then, because writer friends complain about writing, I mentioned a partially completed book I couldn’t finish because I didn’t know where to take it. After some discussion, we decided to work together to complete it, and Saving Sam finally came to light. But as we discussed the story, it quickly became obvious a trilogy, not a stand-alone, was being born

 

SASSE: What was the first romance book you read that made you think ‘I want to do this.’?

 

Simone Beaudelaire: I honestly can’t remember. I started reading romance really young. Like 12 years old (without permission) and I was hooked. I had always been a bit of a make believe/storyteller kid, and somehow the two merged together into a desire to write romance of my own.

 

JM Northup: I honestly didn’t know much about the romance genre.  I considered romance to be an emotion or motivator within a story; a natural human response.  I can say the first book I read with actual love scenes was Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel.  It wasn’t until I met Simone (and some of our mutual romance writing friends) that I was really introduced to the genre.  The creative, poetic way they depicted romance and the artistic way they described sex drew me to the genre and I hooked!

 

SASSE:  Can you explain to the readers about the Wounded Warrior series? How did you come up with the idea for it? Is this just another ‘military hero story’?

 

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Simone Beaudelaire: I started writing Saving Sam long ago, before I even knew I was capable of writing anything. I didn’t finish it because I got stuck, but even then I was just hoping to write a sexy story about a hot soldier. It required Julie’s experience with the military and PTSD to turn my half-baked idea for a hot romance into a deep, powerful story of life after battle.

 

JM Northup: Being a veteran myself, I am very connected to our stories and I wanted them to have a deep meaning.  Discussing the stories with Simone, it was obvious she wanted to write something of substance to honor our veterans and their families as much as I did.  Ultimately, I think we achieved our goal and in doing so, I don’t believe our books are just another “military hero story”.  I think they touch on some very profound topics and are filled with a lot of heart. 

 

SASSE: As most of my readers know I’m a Wounded Warrior. I was in the military for fourteen years. So, your series jumped out at me. Before deciding to write this series where you both familiar with Wounded Warriors? In what way?

 

Simone Beaudelaire: I’ve been aware of them, of course, but not on a personal level. Julie opened my eyes to a whole world I didn’t know. Oh, and thank you for your service.

 

JM Northup: Yes, thank you for your service and sacrifices!  I first heard about the Wounded Warrior Project while I was stations at McChord AFB in Washington State.  My cousin, who was in the Army at the time, stationed at Fort Lewis, was very active with the organization.  I was really moved by the work they did and when I had the chance to do something to give back to them and, more importantly, to my fellow veterans, I felt honored to be included.

 

SASSE: What was the most emotional challenging book to write out of the three of them?

 

Simone Beaudelaire: I think of the three books, Saving Sam was the most challenging. It sat half-



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finished for years before Julie showed me how to finish it. But Justifying Jack is by far the most emotional. I cried buckets writing it. I like to write emotional works, so that isn’t the biggest challenge to me. I lacked deep information about the military needed to make the stories come alive.

 

JM Northup: Each book had challenges and each spoke to me on a different level.  Still, I would have to say that Justifying Jack was the most emotionally challenging story for me.  It is the book that focuses the most on the family and what happens when a military family loses their loved one to war.  That was very moving to me and having seen my own daughters’ reactions to my service, it was the most personal for me.

 

SASSE: When readers read your stories, what is a common theme that you want them to walk away with?

 

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J.M. Northup and Simone Beaudelaire: That love doesn’t heal physical or emotional wounds, but it can provide the support survivors need to allow themselves to heal. No one can love you so much you get better, but having love makes the work more bearable.

 

SASSE: Thank you both for sitting down with me and talking about such a wonderful series that I am excited to dive into.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about J.M. Northup and Simone Beaudelaire!

SIMONE BEAUDELAIRE

Simone Beaudelaire is the pseudonym for a single mom and graduate student from Texas.
In her spare time, Mme Beaudelaire reads romances as fast as she can get her hands on them, and when she isn't reading them, she's writing them!

 

J.M. NORTHUP

J.M. Northup is an American author whose work tends to cross genres.  She’s a native Minnesotan living in Texas, a wicked cat lady, and proudly served in the U.S. Air Force. Julie’s happily married to her best friend, Dusty and together, they have 2 beautiful daughters!           

Website:
Simone Beaudelaire - http://simonebeaudelaireauthor.weebly.com
J.M. Northup - http://www.creativia.org/jm-northup.html

            Twitter:
Simone Beaudelaire - https://twitter.com/SimoneBeaudelai
J.M. Northup – www.twitter.com/JM_Northup

            FB Author Page (if you have one):
Simone Beaudelaire - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Simone-Beaudelaire-and-Edwin-Stark/703991259648857?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
J.M. Northup - www.facebook.com/authorjmnorthup

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Let's Get Fit with Author Rebekah Weatherspoon

Hello, Rebekah Weatherspoon, welcome to SASSE Sheets. I appreciate you spending the day with us here. I can’t wait to get started with this chat. I will tell you, I feel like I should have done some crunches or planks before sitting down with you. However, I settled for giving my eyes a workout by ogling the sexy men on your covers.  

SASSE: Tell the readers a little about yourselves. How did this writing team come about?

Rebekah: Hi Yvette! Thanks for hunting me down. I’m still a little conference-hungover from RWA15 so I’ll try to make sense. I’ve been writing since 2008, published since 2011. All of my books are multicultural and I guess you could say erotic romance of the New Adult/Adult contemporary and paranormal variety seem to be my thing.

SASSE: What was the first romance book you read that made you think ‘I want to do this.’?

Rebekah: That’s tough. Twilight got me into writing fanfiction, but I wanted to write my own romance fiction after I read a series that had no people of color, but was set in a very diverse part of the country. Myself and other readers asked the author to include more diversity and when she basically refused, I decided I needed to write my own books.

SASSE:  Can you explain to the readers about the Fit Trilogy series? How did you come up with the idea for it?



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Rebekah: The FIT Trilogy follows three trainers at an exclusive gym in Los Angeles and their adventures in love and kink. Each book features a different couple and all sorts of fun sexy times. Originally I wanted to submit FIT to a larger press for a specific line, but it was rejected. I sat down with it again and crafted it into the story it is now. Then I fell in love with Keira’s character and decided I wanted to give her a book too. I couldn’t leave Armando out so why not THREE BOOKS!

SASSE: Tell the readers about Grant in Fit book one. What was the inspiration for this hero?

Rebekah: Two words. Chris Hemsworth.  

 

SASSE: Tell the readers about Armando Tamed book two. What was the inspiration for this hero?


Rebekah: Armando was always kind of just there. He’s such a sweetheart and ultra sexy. He’s Mexican-American with gay dads. It was fun coming up with his family and giving his life a little more depth.

SASSE: Now bring the readers into the world of your latest and last installment Sated. Share with us about Kiera and Daniel’s romance.

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Rebekah: Kiera and Daniel were so much fun to write. The actor Daniel Henney inspired Daniel’s character and Kiera is a mash-up of the many black geek girls I hang out with online. I hadn’t read a black geek girl before, so I wanted to give her geekiness it’s time in the sun. Daniel is more laid back than Keira, but her enthusiasm is what he loves about her.

SASSE: What was the most emotional challenging book to write out of the three of them?

Rebekah: SATED, mostly because I had a little break down due to the racially motivated homicides going on here in the US. The story was there, but I was having a hard time focusing. Got a little pep talk from Beverly Jenkins though and I was able to push through and finish the story.

SASSE: When readers read your stories, what is a common theme that you want them to walk away with?

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Rebekah: I just want readers to be entertained. I want them to close my books or put down their ereader and let out a happy sigh. That’s all I can ask for.

SASSE: Thank you for sitting down with me and talking about such a wonderful series that I’m ready to give my Kindle a workout with. Tell the readers what is coming next for you.

Rebekah: I just finished the first in a Sugar Daddy/Internet Billionaire novella series. The first book should hit shelves at the end of September. Thank you for having me!!

 Learn more about Rebekah Weatherspoon!

Raised in Southern New Hampshire, Rebekah Weatherspoon now lives in Southern California where writing is one of her many gigs. She writes erotic romance, both paranormal and contemporary, New Adult and Adult. Her BDSM romance At Her Feet won the Golden Crown Literary Award for erotic lesbian fiction and most recently her novella FIT (#1 in the FIT Trilogy) won the Romance Times Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Erotica Novella. You can find out more about Rebekah and her books at www.rebekahweatherspoon.com.

            Website: http://www.rebekahweatherspoon.com/

            Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebekahwsm

            Like her FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebekah-WeatherspoonAuthor/184372138243421

 

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Pepper Pace is Turning it Up Again...

 Pepper Pace’s long awaited fourth book in the Wheels of Steel saga finds Robin and Jason reunited after a betrayal that Robin could not forgive. Too much drinking, partying and drug use leaves Robin with wavering control. And Jason has vowed that no matter what, he will never again lose the woman he loves.

Their tentative reunion is put to a test when tragedy requires them to travel to Japan where Robin is finally forced to face the one person whose betrayal she cannot forgive. In book four Pepper Pace brings together the entire Wheels of Steel crew along with new players … as well as new betrayals.
On the edge of becoming famous the Wheels of Steel crew have to navigate the Japanese nightlife, partying, drugs, the Yakuza—all with the backdrop of their creative music. Warning: This book is intended for adult readers only and contains graphic language and sex. All characters are 18+

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EXCERPT:
After a nine hour flight the plane finally landed at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Jason grimaced when he stood. His body felt stiff and he was just grateful for a flight with no layovers—thank you James Edelson.

He and Robin were allowed to be the first to disembark and Mr. Edelson said that there would be a car waiting for them. Jason had earned a jab to the arm when he advised Mr. Edelson to make sure the car was big enough to accommodate Robin’s entire luggage. Robin was just happy that she had packed as much as she had. She had looked at the prices in Tokyo and she would not be going on any shopping sprees.

As the two made their way to the terminal Robin saw a sign that said simply WOS, being held over the head of a young Asian man that looked like a teenager.

“Is that us?” she asked as she began to walk in that direction.

Jason caught her hand. “No. Mr. Edelson is over here.”

Robin turned and saw that indeed, the neatly dressed white haired man was waiting for them with a broad smile. Robin then noticed that there were other people holding signs over their heads. Some said Top, some said Wheels of Steel and a few signs read Soul Horizon, which was the name of the first collaboration album between Wheels of Steel and Akita Tom.

Robin stared with her mouth agape until Jason tugged her arm and urgently whisked her in the direction of Mr. Edelson who quickly boarded them into a mobile luggage cart. A driver in uniform was already behind the wheel.

A moment later a girl screamed. “TOP! It’s Top!”

By then they were already driving away. Jason and Robin craned their necks at the twenty or so teens that were trying to catch sight of them. Uniformed security kept the fans from chasing the cart.

Robin looked at Jason who was equally as surprised.

“Jeez,” she said, “Did you know you had groupies?”

Jason’s mouth was still open as he shook his head. “J just said that there would be a luggage cart waiting so that I wouldn’t have to try to navigate through the crowd …”

Mr. Edelson placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “We have no idea how they figured out which flight you were arriving on. We got Belinda and Peter through easily with only a few fans waiting in the terminal.” Mr. Edelson didn’t seem surprised that there were fans waiting for Jason as he gave a quick glance at the disappearing throng of yelling people.

Jason looked at Mr. Edelson. “J, maybe we should go back so that I can sign some autographs.”

Mr. Edelson smiled. “No, that’s not a good idea. You can sign autographs at the events—that way we’ll have the adequate security available.”

Security? Robin thought, still in a state of disbelief. Jason wasn’t a shooting star. He was already a star.

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NEW RELEASE: EVIDENCE OF DESIRE by MONIQUE LAMONT

Okay, Readers, this is not a dream. Yes, Evidence of Desire the third book in the Hero Series is FINALY out. Sorry, that it too so long for me to give you what you wanted. Well, here it is.

Sonya Watson, a curator at a museum, has lived life unencumbered since her brief disastrous marriage in college. The museum throws a sponsor party the night before a new bug exhibit’s opening, which she grudgingly attends. At the event she discovers the man in the Spiderman costume is her ex-husband Parker Hayden, the new head of the entomology exposition. The feelings she thought were long gone begin to rise in full force.

 

Parker has never stopped loving Sonya over the years. An opportunity lands in his lap for him to open an exhibit at the museum where she works and he doesn’t hesitate to take it. They were just kids the first time they tried to make their relationship work. However, he’s back to prove they can do it right this time. When someone at the museum begins to exchange the African American artwork in her department with forgeries, Sonya gets too close to the truth and someone wants her kept quite. She needs protection and Parker is just the man to do it. 

 

Soon the danger surrounding her gets too close for comfort, placing Sonya’s safety and their relationship in jeopardy. Can faith, strength and her own personal hero save her before its too late?

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Who Doesn't Enjoy a Good Christmas in July...When You Get a Sexy Santa

I love a good Christmas in July story. Latrivia Nelson's Seeking Santa has rounded out the calendar men with a sexy romance to put you in the mood for the mood for the holiday. So come on, start the fire, toss up some tinsel and climb into the sheets because Mr. December is hurrying down the chimney to join you.

Meet Mr. December

Alone during the Christmas holidays in a new city, Jade sets out on a mission to find happiness.

Sneak Peek

 

      Selma’s party was in Mid-town Memphis, in a rehabbed 1930’s bungalow-styled home that had been gutted and transformed into something worthy of style magazines.  Her best friend and maid of honor, Evey Hilliard, had pulled out all the stops for her friend.  In celebration of not only the wedding but the holiday, white Christmas lights had been strung across the property, making it light up the entire street.  A huge Christmas tree had been erected in the living room and the curtains drawn for everyone to see.  Foreign cars lined the quiet lane and old school Hip Hop music could be heard coming from inside the house as normally upscale professional women stood out laughing on the porch and drinking like sorority girls.  
      Jade parked and made her way inside with a bottle of Glenlivet 21 Scotch and present for Selma.  As soon as she walked in, she was greeted by a few of the bridesmaids and a few very inebriated ladies from work.  They put a pink lei around her neck and gave her a pink plastic cup of “wedding juice.”
      “It’s time to party!” Selma said, making her way around the corner with a hurricane glass full of alcohol. She had on a real party dress, hot red, tight, short, and sexy.  It screamed Christian Dior and further made Jade feel shabby.  As soon as Selma caught of glimpse of Jade, she threw her hands up. “Yes, you came!” she said,  prancing over and giving her a hug.  
      “I didn’t want to disappoint,” Jade said, handing off her gift.
      “Are you kidding,” Selma said, winking at her, “I had to get you here in hopes of getting you to forgive me for this morning.”
      “Mums is still the word,” Jade snickered.
      “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in jeans before,” Selma said, stepping back. “You have quite the body on you.  Always keeping it hidden behind those suits.  Girl, you need to show your shit off every once in a while.”
      One of the other girls stammered over to join the conversation. “Well, I’ll be damned.  Jade is in the building.  And she brought her camel toe with her.” 
      All eyes went to the center of Jade’s pants, including Jade, who tried to look down but couldn’t quite see.
      “Yep, it’s out there,” Selma nodded. “But only a drunk bitch like Phyllis would notice and mention it.”
      Jade turned and looked toward the exit with a mind to bolt right of the door that she had just come in, but Selma saw her face and stopped her.  “You look fine.  In fact, you look great.”  
      “Where’s your restroom?” Jade asked.
      “Down the hall to the left,” Selma said, cutting her eyes at Phyllis.  “You really have no class.”
      “What?” Phyllis asked, shrugging her shoulders.  “When did camel toe become a crime?”

***

      Jade didn’t even knock before barging into the bathroom.  Slamming the door behind her and locking it, she found a long mirror hanging right behind it.  Talk about a godsend.  She looked down at her reflection and there it was.  CAMEL TOE.  The pants didn’t feel that tight at the house, but she didn’t see herself fully in the mirror, otherwise, she might have noticed the high-definition view of her vagina.
      “Son of bitch,” she said, shaking her head. Pulling at the crotch to give herself some room, she struggled in front of the mirror.
      “Bad night?” a deep baritone asked from behind the wall of the sink.
      Jade’s neck snapped toward the voice.  “The door was unlocked.  Sorry,” she said, wanting to just curl up and die.
      “I’m almost done. No worries.  Sounds like you need a minute away,” the man said, sounding pre-occupied. 
      “You aren’t doing number two, are you?” Jade asked, frowning up.  “Because that would just be the perfect end to my crazy day.”  She suddenly cut her breaths short as to not inhale anything that she might regret. 
      The man stepped out from behind the wall and smiled at her.  It was as if he expected a certain amount of reaction to his presence, because he had a smirk on his full lips.  “No number two.”  He looked her up and down. “No number one either.  Just getting dressed.”         Jade stopped in her tracks.  As their eyes met, her heart nearly stopped beating.  In only a satin red thong, a red Santa Claus hat and a white beard, the man who had been so cordial behind the wall approached her, nearly naked.  What a first impression?
      He stood over six feet, five inches tall, muscles carved to perfection from his wide shoulders to his slim waist to his unbelievable thighs.  He had a perfect tan – the kind that was made in the sun, not in a tanning bed.  Tribal tattoos were inked up and down both arms and across his monstrous chest.  Mossy green eyes glared under thick black lashes at her as she placed her hands instinctively over the front of her pants.
      This was not, after all, a man that she wanted to see her….camel toe.
      His eyes followed her hands to her crotch and instantly made him curious.  “I’m used to a woman being aroused, but…”
      Jade blinked. “What?  No.”
      He smiled, a dimple bursting in the left cheek of his square jaw.  “Okay.  What then?  You have to pee?  I can leave.  It’s almost time for me to go on anyway.” He didn’t know why but he felt strangely comfortable with the uncomfortable woman.  Something about her spirit was genuine.  Plus, she was pretty. 
      Jade rolled her eyes out of pure embarrassment. “I’d rather not say what’s wrong with me.” She looked like she wanted to cry. 
      An anxious knock at the door let him know it was time.  He walked up to her and moved her hair from her shoulder.  “Don’t stay in here so long that you miss my show.”  He smelled like coconut oil, and suddenly her mouth watered for a taste. 
      “Your show?”  She looked at his cock, eyes bright and in pure disbelief at the gigantic size.  Was that real? 
      He looked down passed his rock hard abdomen to the rock hard penis dangling in his costume only inches away from her. “Yeah, my show.  You didn’t think I was the cook, did you?” He winked at her,  slowly put his hands on her hips and moved her out of the way.  She moved hesitantly, keeping her crotch covered by her hands.
      “I didn’t pee myself or anything,” she explained.  “It’s far more cosmetic than that.”
      “I’m sure,” he nodded.  “Whatever it is, I can tell you in my line of business, I’ve seen worse.”
      She looked up at him, into his beautiful, enchanting eyes, and dared smile.  “Doubt it.”
      “Don’t take too long in here with your lady parts,” he joked. “I want to see you again.”
      Closing the door behind her, he left Jade there alone to slide down on the floor and catch her breath. WTF?!!

 

New Release! Want something hot and romantic to do for the summer? Climb between the sheets with 12 ALPHAS: Military/Vets, Shifters, Blue Collar, Business Men, Athletes, Smoke Jumpers, Doctors and more... Ladies this is the YEAR of your dreams. 12 Alphas 12 Months come and get your calendar men! 99 cents for LIMITED TIME

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Set a Goal for Sensual Romance...Mr. November Awaits

One of the best thing about watching sports, are the sexy men on the field...And when sexy athlete meets romance in a book it is oh, so worth the buy. Di Topaz's Mr. November in the Ultimate Goal has a big heart and has the skills on and of the soccer field to have you eating out of his hand. So, come on, turn the pages and fall in love.

 

Meet Mr. November

Will Justice and Angelique put their difference aside and go for the Ultimate Goal?

Angelique could not believe the feeling that caused her body to tingle. She’d had orgasms before, but none that compared to the one she’d just experienced. It was so massive it could, from her perspective, count as more than one. She could not move. She wanted to lift her body onto her high bed, but that was a task she was not ready for as of yet. Her legs were still unstable. When she’d purchased the bed she thought of how sexy it would be. Never did she think she’d be too exhausted to get into the bed.

 When she finally opened her eyes, she looked down into Justice’s face. He still sat kneeling before her. She focused on his eyes and they had darkened with passion. She reached down and rubbed her hand across his face. He tilted his head and kissed her hand. The slight movement melted her heart. That was the motivation she needed to finally stand on her own.

Pushing away from the side of the bed, she reached for his hand. He placed his into hers and finally rose to his feet. She was quickly reminded that his bottom half was still covered with clothing. Placing her hand at the waistband of the sweatpants she pulled them over his hips. His member sprang forward ready for action. She had never been one of those people who believed in stereotypes. He was blessed with both girth and length.

“I have condoms in there,” she said as she pointed toward the nightstand.

 Justice wasted no time. He quickly stepped out of his pants and went to retrieve them. The shocked look on his face was enough to have her wondering if she’d left her magic mike there instead.

“What in the world?” he asked.

 He lifted his hand from the drawer holding several packages of condoms. All sizes and styles rained from his fingers. He looked at her with raised eyebrows.

“Hey, a girl can’t be too careful,” she laughed.

 

 

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New Release! Want something hot and romantic to do for the summer? Climb between the sheets with 12 ALPHAS: Military/Vets, Shifters, Blue Collar, Business Men, Athletes, Smoke Jumpers, Doctors and more... Ladies this is the YEAR of your dreams. 12 Alphas 12 Months come and get your calendar men! 99 cents for LIMITED TIME

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It is Getting Hot in Here...Mr. October is Heating Things Up

We're talking tall, over six feet of pure muscle and man that's built with a body to please his woman...if that doesn't make the ice melt around you...than I don't know what will. Mr. October is an athlete that doesn't playing games between the sheets and he's beckoning you to come inside and join him. Maureen Smith is a consummate storyteller and she pulled out all the stops again in Wicked Games in the 12 Alphas 12 Months boxset.

 

Some games are too dangerous to play.

 

 

Nadia had just sent off a text message when the locker room door opened. She glanced up, surprised to see her brother coming out.

“Done already? That didn’t take—” She broke off as one of the Rebels players appeared behind Nelson.

But not just any player.

Reid Holden.

When those piercing blue eyes met Nadia’s, a shiver ran through her.

She straightened quickly from the wall, her gaze darting to Nelson. His eyes were gleaming with excitement, and he had the biggest grin on his face.

As he approached with Reid, Nadia couldn’t help staring at the handsome hockey superstar. His thick dark hair was unruly, falling over his forehead in damp locks. He’d changed into a ribbed gray shirt that stretched across his wide shoulders and clung to every muscle of his broad chest and powerful biceps. His dark jeans hugged him in all the right places. As he came toward Nadia, the play of muscles in his strong thighs made her mouth water.

“Nadia,” her brother said with that ridiculous shit-eating grin, “there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Why? Nadia wondered, feeling like a deer in headlights as Reid Holden came to a stop directly in front of her. He was wearing a pair of heavy black boots. Even without his skates on, he was tall enough to tower over her.

“Nadia, this is Reid Holden,” Nelson introduced them. “Reid, this is my sister, Nadia.”

Ignoring her racing pulse, Nadia smiled and extended her hand. “Hi.” Her voice was little more than breath. “Nice to meet you.”

Reid stared down at her as he took her hand, his large, callused palm curling around hers and swallowing it in a firm grip. The contact sent a rush of arousal from her fingertips to her swelling clit.

“The pleasure’s mine, Nadia.” His voice was much deeper than she’d expected. It slid over her, spreading heat through her veins and making her insides go all tingly. 

She quickly withdrew her hand and stepped back, needing to put some distance between herself and the sexy-as-sin jock.

Nelson was still grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Reid saw you during practice and wanted an introduction.”

“Oh?” Trying to mask her surprise, Nadia looked from her brother to Reid. “Did you at least give him a quote for his story first?”

Reid’s eyes glinted. “Only on the condition that he introduce me to you.”

“I see.” Nadia bit her lip, contemplating him.

A small white scar ran above his left eye, and there was a crook in his nose where it had been broken before. Instead of detracting from his good looks, the imperfections only amplified his rugged masculinity. Reid Holden was a badass, a tough guy who gave as good as he got and had the battle scars to show for it.

Suddenly Nadia realized that he was staring back at her, returning her appraisal. As those intense blue eyes slowly traced her features, her palms moistened and her heart began beating a little faster.

Okay, a lot faster.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she racked her brain for something clever to say. Something to defuse the awareness sizzling between them like high-voltage electric currents.

“So, Mr. Holden—”

“Reid.”

She faltered, blinking. “What?”

The corners of his mouth twitched. “Mr. Holden’s my old man. Call me Reid.”

“Um…” She swallowed. “Okay.”

His eyes glinted. With amusement or approval, she couldn’t tell. “Mind if I call you Nadia?”

When she shook her head, he smiled. And damn if her knees didn’t go weak. She couldn’t help it. Between his gorgeous face, ripped body and insanely sexy voice, the man was a walking wet dream.

“Beautiful name, by the way.”

Nadia licked her dry lips. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, his gaze lowering to her mouth.

She could feel the heat coming off his big body, feel her skin tingling and her scalp prickling with awareness. He smelled positively delicious, like soap and hard-working man. When he shifted a little closer, her belly clenched, and for a moment it was hard to breathe.

Although she was no stranger to sexual attraction, she’d never experienced anything like this before.

“Now what were you saying?”

Nadia stared up at Reid, her thoughts scattered. “Saying…?”

“A moment ago. I think you were about to ask me something.”

“Oh.” She bit her lip. “I don’t remember.”

He nodded, watching her intently. “Are you coming to our season opener on Thursday?”

The question caught her off guard. “Um…well…I hadn’t really planned—”

“Nadia’s not much of a hockey fan,” Nelson interjected apologetically. Until that moment, Nadia had completely forgotten he was there. “But I’ll be at the game.”

Reid nodded, but he didn’t look satisfied. Lowering his eyes, he stared at Nadia beneath his dark lashes.

Heat rose in her cheeks. Suddenly the ground beneath her felt as slippery as if she were standing on ice.

What does he want from me? she wondered.

Just then the locker room door opened, and the Rebels’ head coach stuck his head out and called to Reid, “Holden. Got a minute?”

Reid cast a lazy glance over his shoulder. “Be there in a sec.”

The coach nodded and ducked back through the door.

As Reid returned his attention to Nadia, Nelson piped up, “Any chance I could interview you for the Dispatch?”

Without taking his eyes off Nadia’s face, Reid murmured, “I don’t give interviews.”

Nelson was undeterred. “I know you don’t. But since you’ve already broken your silence by giving me a quote, I was hoping you’d be open to answering more questions.” 

Reid stared at Nadia another moment, then shifted his gaze to Nelson. “I don’t give interviews,” he repeated.

Nelson grinned sheepishly. “Sure you won’t reconsider?”

Reid gave him a long look, his eyes narrowed.

Oh, shit, Nadia thought. Nelson must have pushed him too hard.

The same thought apparently occurred to her brother, because he visibly swallowed. But before he could start squirming, Reid chuckled and began backing across the hallway.

Determined to press his luck, Nelson called out, “So is that a definite n—”

Reid pointed to Nadia. “Bring her to the game.”

Before Nadia could sputter out a protest, Nelson promised, “She’ll be there.”

Reid nodded, a satisfied smile quirking his lips before he turned and disappeared inside the locker room.

Nadia watched him go, then swung around to stare at Nelson in stunned disbelief. “What the hell was that?”

Nelson laughed, cupped her face between his hands and planted a smacking kiss on her forehead. “That, dear sister, was my lucky break!”

 

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