#MFRWSteam FIRST AND AGAIN by Jana Richards

Welcome to the #MFRWSteam Blog Hop! Today I'm offering an excerpt from my contemporary small town romance FIRST AND AGAIN. This is a story about first love and learning that yes, you can go home again!

Blurb:

Bridget Grant is back in Paradise. Paradise, North Dakota, that is.

She’s swallowed her pride and moved back to her hometown with her daughter after her divorce and the loss of her catering company. Now she’s trying to navigate the strained relationships she’d left behind – including her first love, Jack Davison.

Jack never forgot Bridget, or the day she left town – and him. When Bridget caters a lunch at Jack’s tourist ranch, old flames reignite. They have more in common than ever – Jack’s also a single parent. Though they both try to keep things casual, Bridget, Jack and their girls are starting to look a lot like a family.

But Bridget’s only planning to stay in Paradise until she’s saved enough to relaunch her business. Jack’s invested too much in his ranch to leave. And with their daughters involved both have a lot more at stake than heartbreak. How can they risk falling in love?

Excerpt:

He grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stairs and into his room. Once there, he closed the door and started pulling her sweater over her head. When he’d removed the sweater to reveal the bra underneath, he went suddenly still and then emitted a low whistle.

“Wow.”

She smiled. “You like?”

“What’s not to like?” He ran one finger under the strap of her red satin bra. “A beautiful woman wearing sexy underwear. I’m all for that.”

“And you’ve only seen half of the ensemble.”

“You mean there’s more?”

“Oh yeah.” She unfastened her jeans, enjoying the way he watched her every move. “I decided to give the white cotton granny panties the boot.”

He took a ragged breath. “Did you?”

“Mmm.” Pushing her jeans past her hips, she let them fall to the floor. She stood before him in only her bra and matching red satin panties. “What do you think? Good investment?”

“I don’t know,” he said reaching for her. “Seems like a waste to spend all that money on something I’m just going to rip off you.”

“Don’t you dare rip my new underwear!” She scooted around to the other side of the bed, laughing. “Let’s be civilized about this.”

“Civilized? Are you kidding?” He jumped across the bed, capturing her in his arms.  “I’ve had a permanent hard-on since the last time we were together. If I don’t take you soon, I might do serious injury to myself.”

She wound her arms around his neck. “We can’t have that. You don’t need to be gentle with me, just my underwear.”

He grinned and gave her a kiss. “It’s a deal.”

He carefully unhooked her bra and slid it off her shoulders, laying it gently on the night table. Then he kissed his way down her chest, her breasts and across her stomach, dropping to his knees in front of her. Pulling down the scrap of red satin to reveal the nest of curls at the apex of her thighs, he leaned forward to place a kiss there. She clutched at his shoulders and moaned.

“Jack, oh God!”

He flicked his tongue inside and around her most sensitive spot, wrenching exquisite sensations from her. She pushed his head closer, wanting, needing him. The pressure began to build inside her until she suddenly exploded. Only Jack’s strong arms kept her from toppling over.

When the tremors stopped, he got quickly to his feet and stripped off his clothes, sheathing himself with a condom. She collapsed onto the bed, her knees too weak to support her any longer. Jack reached for her hand.

“Not the bed, sweetheart. Not this time.”

She let him lead her across the room with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. But she trusted him completely. Whatever he had planned, she knew he would never hurt her.

He pushed her against a wall and kissed her, his tongue hot and wet as it plunged into her mouth. She loved the taste of him, a combination of coffee with sugar and mint toothpaste. His scent filled her head with a heady mixture of spicy aftershave and the cold outdoors. His penis pushed against her stomach, and suddenly nothing else mattered but that he was inside her, and quickly.

Jack placed his hands under her buttocks and lifted her. With two fingers, she guided him inside her. He filled her completely, pushing at all her boundaries. It felt almost as if he could break right through her. The thought was frightening and exhilarating. Instinct made her wrap her legs tightly around his waist.

He braced himself, pushing her against the wall. With each thrust, he seemed to go deeper inside her. She madly pushed back, their frenzied coupling building to a crescendo. A moment later he cried out his release. She followed him into the abyss, descending into a vortex of sensation where only he existed. She clung blindly to him as wave after wave of ecstasy washed over her.

Finally the spasms ended and he carried her to the bed, laying her down and collapsing next to her. He flung one arm over his eyes.

“Next time you go to the city, buy some more of that underwear. Damn fine investment.”

She chuckled. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. I’m looking to build my portfolio.”

He made a noise that sounded like something between a grunt and a laugh. “You keep building your portfolio like that and you’ll put me in an early grave. But I’d least I’d die with a smile on my face.”

“Always happy to oblige.”

She lay on her side and watched him. A moment later his breathing deepened and she knew he’d fallen asleep. She resisted the urge to touch his face, not wanting to wake him.

Making love with Jack was the most amazing thing she’d ever experienced. And the laughter they shared made their time together so special.

She was afraid that was where it ended for him:  great sex and good laughs. But for her, being with Jack was more than just the physical. Her emotions became part of the equation the first time they made love.

Would their relationship ever move beyond the physical for Jack?

Buy Links: 

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | B & N | Kobo US | Kobo CA | Chapters/Indigo | iBooks | GooglePlay | BAM | Scribd | Walmart

Buy in Audiobook: Audible.com | Audible.ca  | Itunes

Check out the other posts in the #MFRWSteam Blog Hop here!

A Steamy Scene from CHILD OF MINE

Today I'm offering a scene from CHILD OF MINE, book one in the Masonville Small Town romance series. In this scene, long-time friends Lauren and Cole turn to each other on the day of Lauren's husband's funeral. Lauren's husband Billy also happened to be Cole's brother:

Excerpt:

Cole wrapped her in his arms. He held her securely, whispering reassurances.

“It’s all right, Lauren. Don’t cry. It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.”

She clung to him, her face buried against his neck. It felt so good to be held, to be touched. It had been so long—

What was she doing? This was Cole, her friend. She pulled away from him. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have anything to apologize for.”

She turned away and tried to wipe the tears from her face. When she got her tears under control, she made herself smile at him. “Do you remember the homecoming dance when I tripped in my new high heels and sprained my ankle?”

“Of course I do. You couldn’t walk, so I carried you from the school gym to Billy’s car, and he drove you home. I remember you were a lot heavier than you looked.”

She swatted his shoulder, hiccupping laughter mixing with her tears. “Very funny. I was trying to make a point.”

He wiped the tears from her cheek with the pad of his thumb, his dark eyes full of tenderness. “So what was your point?”

“You’re a good friend. You’ve always been there when I needed you, and here you are again. Thank you.”

He stared into her eyes, but said nothing. She couldn’t look away. He continued to stroke her cheek with his thumb, the tiny caress acting like a balm to her battered heart. She placed her hand on his cheek.

“Cole.”

They reached for each other in mutual need. He pulled her against his chest, his mouth descending on hers in a hungry, urgent kiss. She sighed against his mouth, and he brought her closer. He wants me. It had been so long since someone had wanted her. Only her.

They shed their clothes in a flurry of restless touches. In minutes, Lauren’s black funeral dress lay on the ground next to Cole’s white dress shirt. He kissed her again, his hands sliding up her ribcage to cup her breasts. She slid impatient hands over his broad shoulders, his muscled back, the curve of his buttocks. His skin was as smooth and hard as glass, but hot to the touch. She wanted more of his heat, more of his touches.

More of everything.

His erection pushed against her stomach, and her body shivered with excitement. The evidence of his desire emboldened her.

“You want me,” she whispered.

“Yes.” His voice was rough with need. “Lauren. Beautiful Lauren.”

He held her close and kissed her, and for the first time in a very long time, she felt cherished. Important.

Loved.

Cole lowered her to the ground, the dried grass and leaves forming a bed beneath them. Then he was inside her, filling all her empty spaces. Joy flooded her heart as her climax built. Each thrust brought her closer to fulfillment, to happiness.

Her orgasm came suddenly, shattering her into tiny pieces. Her body shuddered.

“Cole!”

A moment later he reached his own climax. She held him tightly as tears poured down her face and sobs shook her body. She had no idea why she was crying. What they’d shared had been so beautiful, so amazing. There was no need for tears. But still, they kept coming.

Cole’s body tensed. He pulled out of her and stared into her face. In the fading light, Lauren caught the look of pain in his eyes before he pushed away and began rifling through his clothes.
Her heart sank. He’s sorry he made love to me.

For a moment she thought she’d be sick. Her stomach roiled and her heart banged against her ribs. Cole avoided her gaze, presenting his back to her as he yanked on his clothes. Lauren swallowed and reached for her own clothing, getting to her feet on unsteady legs.

Had she disgusted him by reaching for him today, of all days? She was afraid she’d lost her best and oldest friend.

When he was fully dressed, Cole finally looked at her. “We need to go. You should get back to your family.”

Lauren nodded, unable to speak. She followed him out of the trees, back to the fence where their vehicles were parked. Cole held the barbed wire apart so she could slip through the fence. Once through, she stumbled toward her mother’s car and reached for the door handle.

“Lauren, wait.”

She dared a glance. His expression was full of anguish, and her heart clenched. The last thing she’d wanted was to cause him pain.

“What happened here,” he began, his voice gruff with emotion, “it was…we made a mistake. We were both grieving, maybe a little out of our minds.”

Lauren nodded, desperately holding back her tears. She’d made such a mess of things. Cole must hate her for throwing herself at him the way she had. She hated herself, too.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly.

The stupid tears burned behind her eyes, but she held them back. She fumbled blindly for the door handle, needing to get away before she broke down completely. As she got behind the wheel and started the car, Cole drove away in a cloud of dust.

Lauren rested her head against the steering wheel and cried. She cried for Billy and the loss of the love she’d thought would last a lifetime. But mostly she cried tears of humiliation. Cole must think she was a terrible, terrible person.

And he’d be absolutely right. What kind of woman makes love to her husband’s brother on the day of his funeral?

Blurb:

Lauren didn't intend to sleep with her brother-in-law Cole on the day of her husband's funeral. But now that she is pregnant, she's not sorry. Cole's given her a baby, a long-wished-for miracle. He's been her friend forever, though she never told him or anyone else how unhappy her marriage to his cheating brother was. And she's afraid to tell the small town that considered her husband a hero that the baby isn't his.

Cole's been in love with Lauren since he was sixteen. It kills him that everyone believes the baby is his dead brother's. All he wants is to claim the baby, and Lauren, as his own. Though she marries him, will Lauren's heart ever be his?

Lauren must tell the truth or risk losing Cole. Is her newly-discovered love for him greater than her fear of scandal in her hometown?

Buy Links:

The Wild Rose Press ~ Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca ~ Amazon.UK ~ Amazon.au ~ Amazon.de ~ BN

iBooks ~ Kobo (US) ~ Kobo (CA) ~ Google Play ~ Walmart

To read other entries in this month's Steam Hop, hop over here: https://mfrwsteam.blogspot.com/2020/08/mfrwsteam-081120.html

#MFRWsteam - Excerpt from TO HEAL A HEART

Hello Steam lovers! Today I'm offering an excerpt from my newest release, TO HEAL A HEART. Both Blair and Garrett have wounds to heal and tragedies to overcome. Part of that healing begins in this scene, this first time they make love. Check out another excerpt on my website and make sure to check out other excerpts in the blog hop using the list below. I hope you enjoy this snippet.

Blurb:

Garrett Saunders' world changed two years ago on a road in Afghanistan. Back home, he feels like a stranger. As he struggles to find his place in the world, he meets a horse destined for the slaughterhouse and a woman bent on rescuing the strays of the world, including him.

Blair Greyson moves to Masonville to look after her ailing grandfather and give her rescue horses a home. Right away she butts heads with a surly former Marine. Despite a rocky start, they come to an agreement: Blair will board Garrett's rescue horse and he'll help with repairs around her farm.


Garrett finds purpose working with Blair—and falls in love with her. But she's hiding a secret. Can she forgive herself and accept Garrett's love, or will she let guilt and regret continue to rule her life?

Excerpt:

He kissed her, softly, gently, a mere brushing of his lips against hers. Somehow, he understood she had to do this slowly, and she was grateful he was willing to let her set the pace. It had been so long, and she’d been an inexperienced teenager. Her memories of sex were uncomfortable—fumbling hands, hurried, sometimes painful coupling, a swift adjustment of clothing, a quick goodbye. No words of love or even affection, only a release of sexual need. 

This was different. For the first time she would be making love, not merely having sex. 

Blair relaxed into Garrett’s kiss and wound her arms around his neck. Yes, she decided. This is my first time.

He claimed her mouth in a searing kiss that left her breathless, and suddenly Blair no longer wanted to take things slow. She answered his kiss with need of her own, touching her tongue to the seam of his lips and begging entry. Garrett immediately opened to her, devouring her with a hunger that matched her own. Their tongues danced and twisted together, warm flesh sliding over warm flesh. 

Garrett unfastened the hooks at the back of her bra, and it fell to the floor. The feel of her naked breasts against his hard chest with its light dusting of hair sent shivers rippling through her body. Garrett rubbed her upper arms. 

“Cold?” 

She gulped in a breath. Why was it so hard to breathe? “No. Exactly the opposite. You make me burn, Garrett.” 

Instead of laughing the way she thought he might, he cupped her face between his two big hands. 

“Sweet, beautiful Blair.” 

His words brought a lump to her throat and an ache to her heart, especially accompanied as they were by the tenderness in his eyes. No one had ever looked at her that way, like she was something special. Something precious. 

Garrett kissed her once again, then knelt in front of her on his good knee, his leg with the prosthesis at a right angle. Slowly, he unzipped her jeans and pulled them, along with her panties, down her legs to the floor. She stepped out of them and pushed them aside with her bare foot, suddenly aware she was standing in front  of him naked. Vulnerable. But she wasn’t embarrassed. This was Garrett, and the way he looked up at her in wonder, even joy, made her feel beautiful. 

And loved? 

She tossed the thought from her mind, not wanting to go there. This night was about want and need of the physical kind. There was no room for anything else. 

Blair ran her fingers through his hair. She loved the texture of it, thick yet silky and smooth, the curls winding themselves around her fingers. 

“I know women who would kill for hair like yours.” 

He laughed. “There’s nothing special about my hair.” 

Blair only smiled. He was wrong, of course. There was something special about every part of him. He was special. 

She patted his hair to smooth it once more and extended her hand to him. “Come to bed, Garrett.” 

He shook his head, a whisper of a smile playing on his lips. “Not yet.” 

With that, he placed his hands on her ass and drew her forward. Blair’s heart pounded. 

“Garrett, I’ve never—” 

“Shh, sweetheart. Let me love you.” 

His warm breath whispered across her thighs. He parted her sex with his fingers and licked the exposed knot of nerves in a slow, languorous motion. Her knees buckled. She would have collapsed if he hadn’t held her upright. 

“Oh!” Somehow it was the only word she could form. 

He brought her even closer, working her with tongue and fingers, sucking gently until the pleasure was almost too much, on the edge of something wonderful she couldn’t quite reach. 

But then she did. 

Blair orgasmed with a gasp. She clutched at Garrett’s shoulders while spasms wracked her body with waves of pleasure. Dear God, it felt so good. He felt so good. 

She rested her cheek against the top of his head while she caught her breath. She didn’t know it could be like this. Her previous fumbling experiences with sex hadn’t prepared her. The wonder of it brought tears to her eyes.

Buy in Ebook: 

The Wild Rose Press 

| Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.UK | 

Amazon.de | Amazon.fr | B&N | 

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