 |
 |
 |
Finding Orion
Worrywart Lily intends to keep the vow she made with her sisters. She will never, ever marry a military man.
Until now, her secret attraction to her best friend, Hunter, had been purely physical. Seeing him in his uniform drove her crazy, but it was nothing she couldn’t deal with. Then he starts acting weird, putting the moves on her. She tries her best to resist him, but her best is not enough.
Has he done everything in life he wanted too? Hunter was sure of the answer to that question when Lily first asked it. Becoming an astronaut was fulfilling his every dream. But after a conversation with his Grandfather, it sinks in. Hunter has not done everything in life. He has not done Lily ... quite literally. Love hits him all at once. Suddenly he must have. Marry her. Have a child with her. And he must do it before he goes into space. The only trouble is convincing Lily of it.
A night of too much celebrating and wine ends up with them in bed. Suddenly Lily is pregnant and plagued with very real, very sexy dreams. Even so, she swears to resist him and keep her promise.
Some promises are meant to be broken.
Excerpt
She tried not to think about what she was doing. To turn her thoughts elsewhere. Away from him. Away from herself.
But there was no escape.
She knew that wine would loosen her up. Relax her. That probably wasn't a good thing, but somehow, it was what she wanted.
Cheese and crackers! God help her. What was she doing?
Her mind spun in circles. The next thing she knew, he was back. In his left hand he carried a dainty, long stemmed glass filled with rich red wine. His fingers lingered as he handed her the drink. They brushed against hers, making her skin quiver where his touch caressed.
"Careful," he murmured.
Something in her jerked at the suggestion. For some reason, that was the last thing she wanted to be right now.
Her heart stampeded, beating hard against her rib cage. She couldn't believe she was doing this.
But she was.
She sipped at the bittersweet liquid, and followed him to the telescope. "What are we looking at?" She started to bend and peer into the scope. To her surprise, his large hand went to the small of her back as if to guide her. She jumped, and sucked in a deep breath. But his hand did not move. In fact, he didn't even acknowledge her shock. She ran her tongue along her lips and forced her mind back to the task at hand. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"
"Nothing yet." His fingers caressed the small of her back, moving one at a time. Slow torture. "That's Orion, the hunter. Always my favorite."
"Because of you're name?" she asked, peering at the formation of stars and trying to see the hunter in them. To her, they were a million glowing dots in the sky. She supposed she was better at clouds. For his sake, she pretended to see it. "Fascinating. Is that what you're named after?"
"I'm named Hunter because that's what I am. It's in my blood. I seek. I stalk. My desires are my prey." His hand traveled a little farther south, lingering above her rear. With his forefinger he traced circles, rubbing the dress across her tender skin.
A prickle ran down her spine. Her insides tingled. She swore her stomach literally flopped over. Straightening up, she took a deep, rather clumsy swig of wine. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably. "Your desires?"
Shaking, she turned away from him and set her glass down on the balcony edge. No sooner than it left her hand, Hunter swept her into his arms again.
Black, his irises were as dark as his pupils. They looked as one. The dark orbs bored into hers. "When I want something, I get it."
"Always?" A tremble shook her body. If she wasn't wrong, she knew what he wanted right now.
"Always," his lips moved slowly, deliberately. For the first time she realized how very full, and lush they were. So very kissable. So very sexy.
"Oh," she breathed, captured by his gaze.
His hands moved up, cupping her face. Slowly, his thumbs stroked her cheek. "I want you.""Oh."
"Tell me yes."
Her jaw began to shake. Her chest constricted. Her mind spun. The words were right there, on the tip of her tongue. But she held them back as hard as she could.
A piece of her wanted to scream them. To shout and dance like a high school cheerleader.
To sing it out like a southern choir.
But the rest of her knew better.
Closing in on her, he brought his face within an inch of hers. His thumb caressed her lips, shattering her with want. "I want to kiss you. If you don' tell me no, I won't stop."
She couldn't tell him yes, but she couldn't tell him no. She wouldn't.
He reached up and pulled the pins from her hair. It tumbled across her shoulders in what she was sure was a real red mess. Reaching his hands up, he wrapped it in his fingers. Her scalp prickled at the gentle pull as he drew her to him. His lips came to hers, slowly, gently, with plenty of time for her to push him away. At first they only stroked against hers, the softness of their fullness rubbing against hers. Then they grabbed her into a sudden kiss, hard and full of passion. Her head fell back as his mouth devoured hers. His tongue stroked her lips, rubbing against her tongue.
Her lower regions pooled with want. Hardened, her nipples rubbed against the tight fabric of her dress. Tingles jolted up and down her spine.
Passion swept her away. There was no going back. No saying no. There was nothing but his lips, his arms, his desire.
Encircling him with her arms, she pressed her body against his. He was hard against her softness. Her fervor heightened, her body responded. She returned his kiss with hunger. Their lips ground together. Salty and sweet, she tasted a trickle of blood from the bruising kiss.
His hand went to her zipper, and inched it down. Yet, the dress did not give. It remained snug as ever on her, trapping her wanton body.
Never had she wanted the thing off more.
Reviews
“This sizzling trilogy...is a terrific anthology...each story has lovable heroines, sexy leading men and riveting, sensual love scenes.” 4 stars!! Stephanie, Romantic Times
“OPERATION: LOVE is a delightful book of three short stories that are playful and fun as well as tantalizing romantic. [...] FINDING ORION is a funny short story of a friendship invaded by love in a blink of an eye.” Jessica, Fallen Angel Reviews
“The writing styles of these three talented authors are so similar that each story almost effortlessly blends into the next. The resulting anthology, OPERATION: LOVE, is a book that readers will cherish.” Tammy, Loves Romances
"This anthology is brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy of stories that are centered on the military.” 9 out of 10, Reviewed By Elizabeth, Novelspot
"OPERATION: LOVE is a success. All three of these authors will touch your heart with their stories about love and life. Don't pass this collection up.” 4 hearts, Sarah W, The Romance Studio