Steve may still own Mischa's heart but she's damned if she'll give him her soul.
Mischa Bennett feels she is the luckiest woman alive to be engaged to Steve Krashin, the most wonderful man in the world. That is until he deep-soul kisses Vin in front of her and introduces him as his lover. Reeling, Mischa breaks up with Steve. When pushed, her heart breaking, she admits Steve still owns her heart — but she refuses to give him her soul.
General Release Date: 22nd September 2008
The sun melted into the Ohio River, spiking it with reds and oranges, pinks and golds. It was a magical sight, one that made Mischa Bennett sigh with delight.
A few stars already twinkled in the dimming sky, vying with the sun for supremacy. They reminded Mischa of the little cocktail diamonds that sparkled in her new engagement ring, the one her fianc� Steve Krashin had just given her the month before during a similar spectacular sunset.
She loved the river, how it ribboned around the Ohio Valley between the tri-state area of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. She loved how the trees, full of their summer leaves, bowed low and drizzled their limbs in the water. She loved the river towns, the warm summer breezes and the languid weekends when she could make love with Steve all day and all night long.
Time stood still in this world. It was their mystical place and would forever be precious.
Steve trailed his tender fingertips along her brow as he stared down at her. “You’re so very beautiful. You know I can see the sunset in your eyes?”
Giddy, she made a moue of her lips. Not to be outdone, she said, “You look like a god when the sun puts golden sparks in your hair.” She sifted her fingers through his locks delighting in its silkiness. Still hungry, but not for food, she licked her lips. She’d already mussed his curls, hours before, and she liked it with that look. It was a good look on him, the just made love look. She intended him to wear it every day of their lives.
“Are you really going to make me wait until next February to become your husband?”
She rose on her elbow and stared deeply into his incredible eyes, loving the sootiness of his long, dark lashes. She tapped his chin with her finger. “You know I want us to be married on Valentine’s Day. Besides,” she said with a devilish curve to her cheek, “whose making you wait?” She snaked her arm around his neck and drew his head down to hers to savour his lips.
His lips tasted so good, better than chocolate, and she adored chocolate. She was addicted to chocolate so she was absolutely obsessed with her fiancé’s lips. They were firm and soft all at the same time. They sent her into a spiral that made her toes curl and elicited soft moans from her deepest core.
Against her lips, he murmured, “Every day is magical with you. Every day is blessed.”
Carefree, her laughter tinkled above the night sounds. “You, sir, are a charmer.”
Languidly, he caressed her arm. “So long as I’m your Prince Charming.”
Mischief played in her soul, and she loved their easy banter. “And my knight in shining armour.”
“Doesn’t a prince trump a knight?”
“You trump both.” She meant it. “I’m the luckiest woman in the world. I have you.”
“You do.” He claimed her lips again, and his thumbs hooked into her bikini bottoms and pushed them down her quivering thighs. His hand followed as he smoothed his palm over her pussy. Possession humming through his fingers, he cupped it then rubbed her clit until it became a tiny little pearl.
Either a tidal wave had picked up their boat and hurled it towards that magical horizon, or she was quaking with desire. She didn’t care which as long as it never ended.
Returning the favour, she slipped her hand under the elastic waistband of his swim trunks and delved inside. Seeking his heat, she curled her fingers around the base of his cock, gratified that it swelled in her hands. She loved how it throbbed and flexed, how it was velvety soft yet hard all at the same time.
“Ooh, baby. Do that much longer, and the only thing we’ll be wearing is a blanket of stars.”
“Um. Sounds good to me.” It wouldn’t be the first time they’d made love on the boat with just the sky for a covering. If it was up to her, they’d honeymoon on the boat—if the honeymoon wasn’t set to occur in winter when the river would be iced over. Of course, she could do as he suggested and get married earlier...
But it took time to plan a wedding, and even February was pushing it. As it was, her mother was going crazy with all the preparations and everything was booked.
“Someone might see us,” he drawled, his voice husky, his thumb creating a rhythm that drove her crazy.
Ashley Ladd lives in South Florida with her husband, five children, and beloved pets. She loves the water, animals (especially cats), and playing on the computer.
She's been told she has a wicked sense of humour and often incorporates humour and adventure into her books. She also adores very spicy romance, which she weaves into her stories.