An Anthology Featuring Stories by Nina Pierce, Mardi Ballou, Kat Alexis and Alexis Canto
Obtaining his life's dream may very well destroy hers... DIVINE DECEPTION Deception by Nina Pierce
Nicholas is returning to the family vineyard after nearly a decade away. A quick trip to the lawyer to collect the trust fund that's rightfully his and he can wash his hands of the alcoholic father who disowned him years ago. A romp or two with the cellarmaster's assistant shouldn't complicate things.
Francesca has given her heart and soul to Mill Tavern Vineyards, working tirelessly in its wine cellars. Now the greedy son of her stepfather is coming home to take it all from her. Manipulating her way into the playboy's bed may be the only way to save her home.
But hot sex quickly becomes an affair of the heart as Francesca and Nick get tangled in lies and deceit trying to discover the truth behind the failing vineyard.
Other stories include PERFECT PEAR by Mardi Ballou, BERRY BLISS by Kat Alexis, and RIPE FOR LOVE by Alexis Canto.
BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT *** WATCH THE TRAILER
Excerpt
"from Divine Deception"
Having Nick present while she visited with Joseph wasn't really in her plans. Frankie had tried to talk Nick into taking the motorcycle to the hospital later in the morning but Margaret had come running down the granite steps swinging a picnic basket as Frankie was climbing into the truck. She handed it to Nick with two quick kisses on his cheeks and stood watching as he climbed into the passenger side of the cab and they pulled from the driveway.
Now they were headed into town, the midmorning sun hanging in an azure sky, its rays dancing on Seneca Lake. Normally Frankie would have loved a day like this but the cab seemed claustrophobic with Nick Gradin's surly attitude sitting between them.
"It's not my fault you didn't know who I was," she said quietly.
Turning to her, he cocked a skeptical eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You knew your father had a stepdaughter."
"And a child bride," Nick remarked coldly. "I expected my stepsister to have pigtails and braces. Not…" His hand motioned up and down her torso.
"Well, you didn't seem to mind the package yesterday."
"Yesterday I thought you were Joseph's assistant."
"Funny, yesterday I thought you were a womanizing pig of a manwhore." She shot him a patronizing smile. "Guess one of us was right."
He frowned. "If you'll recall, I wasn't the one who came on to you in the field."
"As I recall, it was you who was ready for action in the wine cellar."
"I was simply reading the signals you were sending out."
"Then you have a faulty GPS."
"My wiring is just fine thank you."
"I suppose you think it is, with all the woman you have tumbling into your posh Philadelphia bed."
"Now what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, as if you don't know."
"I have no idea what you're…oh, this is stupid. Pull over here." Nick motioned to a dirt road that led to a small alcove near the lake.
She'd been parking there once in high school.
"I'm not going to see Joseph until we clear this up and can at least be civil to each other," he said.
Frankie acquiesced. He was right. It wouldn't do Joseph any good to have them bickering in front of him. She turned the truck into the trees, their pumpkin and gold leaves floating passively on the gentle breeze. They bumped down the dirt tracks, the center lane overgrown with the dried weeds of summer. Frankie felt as if she was entering the lion's mouth. Anger surrounded Nick like the cloud of dust trailing behind them. She had no idea why he was so pissed when she'd only spoken the truth.
Shoving the truck in park and shutting off the engine, Frankie stared out over the lake. Its cobalt surface rippled at the gentle touch of the fall breeze. Maybe this was the perfect place to help Nick see things her way. Though she hadn't exactly started the conversation off in the right direction, maybe she could try again. "I think—"
As if he hadn't heard her, Nick got out and slammed the door. Pacing in front of the truck, he pulled at his bottom lip, an angry scowl furrowing his brows. What the hell was his problem? Frankie got out and stalked after him. "For someone who wants to talk, you're damn rude, you know that, Gradin?"
He grabbed her and pressed her against the front of truck, the solid planes of his chest trapping her. "I don't know what my father told you about me but I do not—I repeat, do not—have a rotating door on my bedroom. There is no harem of beauties waiting for me in Philly. When I choose to sleep with a woman I like there to be a little chemistry between me and the lady." His mouth came down hungrily on hers, his taste already familiar. When his tongue ran the seam of her lips, she had no choice but to open to his assault. Fisting his hand in her hair, Nick controlled the breath-stealing tempo while his other hand surrounded her breast, squeezing the sensitive flesh. Warm shocks of want shot straight to her pussy. Frankie's hands seized the soft chambray of his shirt, her heart racing in her ears. Nick broke from her as abruptly as he began. "And there's no denying our chemistry, Francesca."
LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK
No comments:
Post a Comment