My laptop has been acting screwy so I haven't been able to upload any pictures. I'll do it next when I'm home.

Smooches!

This is where I'll be!

Isn't it gorgeous. Check back during the week. I plan to post pictures!

Smooches, Lyric :-)

Blurb

Sonja Milton escapes an abusive relationship and leaves all she knows behind for a new job as the personal assistant to best-selling author, Trent Logan. She’s determined to keep her heart under lock and key. But when she sees his softer side, his love of children, not to mention the way his sexy body fills out a pair of jeans, she can’t help but wonder if she should risk her heart again for the promise of forever.

Excerpt

His attempt to console her had tears seeping out of her eyes. She thought she'd cried all the tears she could over the loss of her child, but evidently, she hadn't. Even Devin hadn't taken the time out to comfort her afterward. He had the nerve to pretend that nothing was wrong, even when she'd lain in bed for days after. But this man, a man she'd only met a month ago, offered her what she'd wanted, someone to weep with her, feel sad for her because of the loss. One ounce of soothing from him, and when she least expected it her armor cracked and revealed her vulnerability, leaving her with nothing but a feeling of helplessness.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she sank into his warmth. She rested her cheek over his heart and counted the strong, steady beats. Tears overflowed as she cried and soaked the front of his shirt. He moved his hand over her back in swirling, comforting motions. "Everything will be all right."

Trent pressed a kiss to her temple. He wiped a tear away, and then pressed his lips against her cheek, over the bridge of her nose, and finally, a soft kiss to her lips. She had no idea how this man felt about her, but in one month, he'd offered her more comfort and happiness than Devin had in two entire years.

It was all so confusing.

Live for today. Let tomorrow worry about itself.

Debra's long time mantra echoed in her head, and right now, here with Trent in this beautiful hotel room, he offered her everything she needed. She wanted to focus on right now instead of agonizing over what may or may not be happening between them.

Leaning forward, Sonja pressed her mouth to his, kissing, lingering, and savoring his taste, the touch of his warm mouth. He kissed her back in a series of slow, light kisses that set her nerves on edge.

Their mouths joined. Trent tightened his hold on her. What had begun as a friendly attempt at comfort segued into a hungry, burning desire. A spark had been lit and was now stoked to a feverish pitch. Her nipples tightened and ached; her breasts began to swell and feel heavy against the fabric of her shirt.

He pulled back and cradled her head between his large hands. "You know what's going to happen if we don't stop, don't you?"

"Yes," she murmured.

"I want you, Sonja. More than I've ever wanted a woman in my entire life. You're good for me. You remind me that life isn't all about words. It's about feeling."

He released her and pulled her up to stand in front of him. "I know I'm your boss, but I also want to be your friend. I want to protect you and be there for you. I've been alone for a long time, and until I met you, I had no idea how lonely I was."

Strange and disquieting thoughts swirled through Sonja at his words. What did this really mean? What was he really trying to say to her? "What do you want from me, Trent?"

"I want you to live with me, work for me, and be with me. I promise you that I'll never hurt you. I'll never hit you. I will worship you and treasure every moment I have with you."

He still wasn't promising her anything, but since they'd only known each other a short while, how could she expect that? Did she have it in her to be his live-in companion?

Right now?

Yes. Yes, she did.

She would let tomorrow or next week, or next month even, worry about itself. If she were truly honest, she wanted this just as much as he did.

Sonja closed her eyes tight and opened them again. "I want you, Trent."

He swept her off her feet. His long, determined strides took them across the living area, down the hall and into the bedroom he'd chosen to sleep in. He walked to the bed and lowered her to the mattress. The light from the full moon shimmered between the curtains and cast a soft glow in the room.

Only the sound of their uneven breathing echoed through the air. He stood over her as she gazed up at him. A combination of longing, need and want filled her. He tugged his fingers through the strands of her hair, then grazed the back of his hand across her cheek.
"I think I've wanted to make love to you from the first moment I saw you."

How was it so easy for her to fall into another relationship so quickly? She'd planned to erect a wall around herself that was so tall, no man could climb it. But Trent did. He scaled it and then some, with his tender looks, his love of children, and his gentlemanly ways. She lowered her head and smiled. "When I saw you for the first time, I thought you were the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen."

Trent leaned over and kissed her with a passion so tender it threatened to overwhelm her. She reached up and began to unbutton his shirt. When she was done, she grabbed the collar and gently smoothed it over his shoulders, down his arms, until it hit the floor. She wanted this to happen slow and easy, so she'd remember each and every millisecond of their first time together.

Blurb

Britain Coleman is a professional organizer. Anything from a wedding reception, a 10-year old birthday party, a corporate luncheon, to a closet, she’s your girl.

There was nothing Richard Chase loved more as a kid than setting fireworks. He turned that love into a multi-million dollar industry.

At her employers annual 4th of July celebration, Britain is more concerned about her dismal love life than the pyrotechnician in charge of the fireworks displays unexpected arrest. After all, her cousin's wedding is just weeks away, and there isn't a prospective piece of eye candy in sight to escort her.

But when an unexpected phone call brings Britain face to face with her high school crush, Richard, she finds out just what it means to experience fireworks.

Excerpt:

She looked at him now. He'd always been tall but now, it was hard to ignore the hard muscular build that rippled beneath his shirt.

An involuntary shiver of awareness went through her. Disconcerted, she asked. "How are your parents?"

The dimples in his cheeks spread a mile wide and reminded her of the Richard she used to know. "They're doing great. Still wishing I'd move back home." A teasing light zipped through his eyes. "I see you put that nitpicking nature of yours to good practice."

She straightened her spine. "I am not a nitpicker," she said shortly.

"Right," he said, nodding. "I seem to remember a family get together where after someone set the table, another certain someone went back and refolded all the napkins and placed all the silverware just so."

Waving her hand in the air, she said, "You just threw them on the table any kind of way." Britain hated to admit and would never tell anyone that she was really nothing more than a glorified party planner. A well paid one. But she liked her job damn it, and she was good at it.

However, despite her lofty and rewarding career, Richard's teasing brought out the bitchiness in her.

"Does it surprise you that my organization skills turned out to be so lucrative?" she countered.

Mischief sparked in his eyes and she watched as he gave her a thorough once-over, causing a spark of desire to zing through her body. What did he see when he looked at her? Slender curves or skin and bones? Long brown hair that hung long and straight down her back or rich auburn tresses that cascaded in waves over her shoulders?

She wasn't a bombshell, but she always thought her green eyes were her best feature.

His gaze came back to hers. "No, it doesn't surprise me one bit," he murmured. "And I'm not disappointed either."

She felt a flash of heat. Was he flirting with her?

* * *

Damn she looked good. Richard watched as Britain's magnificent sea green eyes widened and he realized that he'd unnerved her. After all, she was the reason he was here tonight.
He could have bent down and kissed the ground when Rebecca called and asked him to do the fireworks for an upcoming event she and Britain were organizing. So many reasons to see her or not see her had been going through his mind for the past few days since he’d arrived in town.

When he stopped to think about it, it amused him to think that his childhood joy ended up being a career. He'd started a lucrative business and his net worth was a testament to his financial success. It allowed him a freedom he never thought he’d have.

From behind him, Richard heard the first sparkle of the fireworks display begin. Glancing around, he watched as the first pop in the air had the crowd had gathering at the edge of the yard to watch. He glanced down at Britain who was looking around distractedly. "It's really good to see you again."

She stared at him in confusion. "What?"

Those beautiful eyes always drew him in. Every single damn time. His arm wrapped her her waist and pulled her close.

She glanced down in surprise and back up again. "What are you doing?"

He gave an exaggerated sigh of resignation. "Kissing you."

Dimly, he was aware of the crowd, but as the flash from the fireworks lit up the sky, there was no worry that they were drawing any ones attention. Her gaze lowered to his lips and her tongue swept out and left a wet trail on her bottom lip.

Oh yeah.

* * *

Kissing me? Richard wore an amused expression on his face, like he was daring her to push him away. He really did have a nice mouth. It was curved and inviting and looked just soft enough to give her an enormous amount of pleasure. She pushed down the flutters that began to wreck havoc on her stomach.

That mouth was also attached to an equally delectable body. He leaned toward her and her focus moved up from his mouth to his eyes where he caught her with an intense look.

"You scared?" he taunted gently.

Have a great weekend.

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

2. Sandals to show off my French manicured toes and tennis shoes to walk around in.

3. $ to spend on presents for family back home.

4. Cute sun dresses to show off my 34lb weight loss. Yeah me!

5. Shampoo and conditioner because I plan to spend a lot of time in the pool and the ocean.

6. Sexy lingerie- because I plan to spend a lot of time doing other things. *wink*wink*

7. Pictures of my kids because even though I really NEED this vacation - I'm going to miss them terribly.

8. Several good books to read for those lazy times by the pool and on the beach.

9. White Linen - You can't go to the islands without white linen!

10. Music and IPOD - again, for those lazy days on the beach and by the pool.

11. OK - The normal stuff: shorts, shirts, casual wear.

12. A pair of sexy three-inch heels. Do you even have to ask? LOL

13. My husband - well, he won't be packed, but I can't go to Jamaica without him.




Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)