Hearts Aflame - Ronica Black, ebook, ebook.1400, Temp 1
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BOLD STROKES BOOKSe-BooksAcclaim for the Author’s BooksIn Too Deep“In Too Deep, by newcomer Ronica Black, is emotional, hot, gripping,raw, and a real turn-on from start to Þ nish, with characters you will fallin love with, root for, and never forget. A truly Þ ve star novel, you willnot want to miss In Too Deep and will look forward to Black’s nextnovel, Wild Abandon, coming out in 2006.†– Midwest Book Review“Ronica Black’s debut novel In Too Deep has everything from non-stopaction and intriguing well-developed characters to steamy erotic lovescenes. From the opening scenes where Black plunges the reader headÞ rst into the story to the explosive unexpected ending, In Too Deep haswhat it takes to rise to the top. Black has a winner with In Too Deep,one that will keep the reader turning the pages until the very last one.â€â€“ Independent Gay Writer“…an exciting page turning read, full of mystery, sex, and suspense.â€â€“ MegaScene“…a challenging murder mystery – sections of this mixed-genre novelare hot, hot, hot. Black juggles the assorted elements of her Þ rst bookwith assured pacing and estimable panache.†– Q SyndicateWild Abandon“…intriguing, original, and quite well-developed…a sexually-chargedromance about two very different and guarded women. Black carriesthe reader along at such a rapid pace that the rise and fall of eachclimactic moment successfully creates that suspension of disbeliefwhich the reader seeks. Wild Abandon is a novel that displays theauthor’s creative imagination while at the same time boldly exhibitsthe author’s maturation as an author.†– L-Word Literature“…Black is a master at teasing the reader with her use of domination anddesire. Black’s Þ rst novel, In Too Deep, was a Þ nalist for a 2005 Lammyand is a Þ nalist for two GCLS ‘Goldie’ awards. With Wild Abandon, theauthor continues her winning ways, writing like a seasoned pro. This isone romance I will not soon forget.†– Just About Write“If you enjoy complex characters and passionate sex scenes, you’ll loveWild Abandon.†– MegaSceneBy the AuthorIn Too DeepWild AbandonVisit us at www.boldstrokesbooks.comHEARTS AFLAMEbyRonica Black2007HEARTS AFLAME© 2007 BY RONICA BLACK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.ISBN: 10-DIGIT 1-933110-82-113-DIGIT 978-1-933110-82-0THIS TRADE PAPERBACK ORIGINAL IS PUBLISHED BYBOLD STROKES BOOKS, INC.,NEW YORK, USAFIRST EDITION: JULY, 2007.THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS, PLACES, ANDINCIDENTS ARE THE PRODUCT OF THE AUTHOR’S IMAGINATION ORARE USED FICTITIOUSLY. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS,LIVING OR DEAD, BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS, EVENTS, OR LOCALESIS ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL.THIS BOOK, OR PARTS THEREOF, MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANYFORM WITHOUT PERMISSION.CREDITSEDITORS: JENNIFER KNIGHT AND STACIA SEAMANPRODUCTION DESIGN: STACIA SEAMANCOVER PHOTO BY RONICA BLACKCOVER DESIGN BY SHERI (GRAPHICARTIST2020@HOTMAIL.COM)AcknowledgmentsBold Strokes Books, the entire team. Thank you. When I sayyou’ve changed my life, I mean it. I really, really mean it.Thanks to Carrie and Jan Carr for your valued input and mostimportantly, your friendship.Linda and “Prince,†thanks so much for all your help! I hopeyou’re enjoying Flagstaff. I’m still jealous.Sheri, the cover is amazing. Thank you.My family, Dad, Dom, and Beck, your continued support meansthe world. Most especially to my mother, who went with me on a questto “smell a horse.â€And to my sister Robin, the strongest woman I know, for takinganother chance on love.Caitie. Thanks for posing for me in the dead of winter for thecover photo. You’re absolutely beautiful. Thanks for all you did toensure that this book was the best it could possibly be. Thanks willnever be enough.DedicationFor Cait,for everythingHEARTS AFLAMECHAPTER ONEMusic and laughter echoed throughout the crowded restaurantbar. Friday happy hour was in full swing. Krista Wylersat alone, elbows on the worn wooden bar, wishing she had taken upsmoking so at least she would have something to do with her hands.Across the room, she watched a man and woman smiling and talking.They kept their eyes trained only on each another, ignoring everyoneelse. They inched closer, his hand Þ nding the small of her back. Thewoman tossed her head in laughter, exposing her pale neck, an unspokenoffering. The man leaned in, whispering something intimate in her ear.She gripped the arm of his expensive suit as her eyelids grew heavywith desire. Her lips trembled for a brief instant before she mouthedthe word yes.And just like that, another two connected.The sight depressed Krista even though she knew it could easilybe her engaging with an attractive woman. She could have anothermeaningless tryst, but she wasn’t in the mood. Sighing, she Þ ddled witha matchbook and tried to unwind from a hectic week spent trying tosell homes in the midst of a dark pit of a market. Even though currenttimes were tough going, she loved her job. She set her own goals andpunched her own time clock. Problem was, she rarely punched out.When she did, like right now and only at her best friend’s insistence,she didn’t know what to do with herself.She dropped the matchbook and tapped the bar impatiently,resisting the urge to dwell sullenly on her life. She had only just startedher beer so her mind was top notch, sharp as a tack, and brutal with itsrealities: The loneliness she worked long, hard hours to avoid facing.The happiness she fooled herself into believing she had, buying material• 9 •RONICA BLACKthings. The success she shared only with coworkers, people who, likeher, were all about competition rather than compassion.A heavy sigh shook her body at the discomforting thoughts. Shesipped her beer and mindlessly began to peel at the wet label.“Hello, Krista.â€Krista glanced up from another tasteless sip.“It’s been a while.†The voice was husky and familiar, the faceß awless with detailed, high-priced beauty.“Megan, hello.†Krista kept her own voice low in indifference,but as Megan raised her eyebrows, it was obvious she mistook this forseduction.She held that intrigued, predatory look for a long moment andthen signaled the bartender for a drink. She ß ipped her hair as shewaited, purposely allowing Krista ample time to take her in. WhenKrista didn’t rise to the bait by voicing an interest, Megan took chargewithout missing a beat.“You’re looking well, as always.†A knowing smile accompaniedthe self-assurance as her eyes slowly swept up and down Krista’s Þ t andcurvy body. She slid onto the neighboring bar stool and cupped a handover Krista’s. “I was hoping you would be here tonight.â€Krista studied the well-manicured Þ ngernails and wished she feltmore than just the warmth of another human’s touch. She sipped herdrink and fought off disappointment. This had been her reality lately.Her lack of interest in available women, her nonexistent sex life. Asmuch as she went over and over her situation, only one thing seemedcertain. She wanted more. She wanted sparks. But she was beginningto wonder if such a thing even existed. Up until now she’d led her lifebased on what she did know. Sex and lust. She’d experienced those alltoo well. She knew for certain what they were all about.Megan, obviously clueless as to her mood, leaned in closer,whispering in her ear. “Come on, let’s get out of here.â€Krista felt the gentle pressure of the breath against her skin. Itcaused a reaction, a quick ignition of her ß esh. She closed her eyes andwilled the rush of awakening nerves to remain for longer than a fewseconds. But this was wishful thinking, a hopeless, romantic dream.Insistent and unperturbed, Megan tightened her grip and brushedher lips across Krista’s cheek. The contact sent ß ashes of their lastencounter to Krista’s mind.• 10 •HEARTS AFLAMEA posh hotel room, dimly lit, with the scent of the fresh linen sheetsand hungry, wet sex tingling her senses. Megan atop her, peeling off ablack teddy and tossing it aside, her body covered in a thin sheen ofsweat, her long brown hair clinging to her skin. Panting and moaning,she undulates, with Krista’s Þ ngers up deep inside her.“I’m going to come,†Megan whispers, biting her lower lip. “Makeme come.†Her body jerks and waves, slow then hard. Her eyes openwith Þ erceness, full of ß ames, and the tendons in her neck strain. Shereaches out, grasping Krista’s free hand, linking their Þ ngers, pinningKrista against the bed. She comes like lightning, bright and furious,charged and fast. A long cry Þ nds birth from deep in her chest as sherides out her climax, clinging and grinding and taking and holding.Krista watches in wonder, her Þ ngers long ago sweetly pained andnumbed. As the last of the orgasm escapes her body, Megan collapses.She breathes hard against Krista’s chest, her body moist and pulsing.Krista turns her head and focuses on the hand that she can still feel.A sharp, stabbing pain registers as something presses into her Þ nger.Megan squeezes their hands tightly together, intensifying the sensation.Krista squints. In the ...
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