LLLB Sneak Peek - Paper Thin by Shelia M Goss

The Lip Gloss Chronicles explores the life of three Sassy, Urban, and Hip high school friends who are high on fashion and a magnet for drama.

Paper Thin by Shelia M Goss Excerpt

“Sierra, don’t tell Jorge,” Maria Sanchez said to me, as I helped her sneak shopping bags into the house. The way my step-mother shopped, you could not tell we were in a recession.

If my dad found out, he would be upset. He had sat the whole family down earlier this year to let us know that business was slow so we all needed to buckle down to ride out the storm. We used to have a live-in maid, but now she only comes over three times a week. My dad, a prominent Dallas real estate developer, over the years had received many awards. He was often compared to Donald Trump because whatever he touched seemed to turn to gold.

Zion and my dad were busy in the den playing a video game so it gave us time to put her things away. After what seemed like hours but was only minutes, I said, “Mom, I think I’ll take a nap. All of this shopping has worn me out.” I helped her remove tags to the clothing items as she hung them up in her closet.

“We’re about through here anyway. Dinner will be ready in about an hour,” she responded. “I’m trying to make sure we eat before six. We don’t want all of our hard work this past summer to go to waste do we?”

I loved Maria as if she was my own mom, but her constant obsession with my weight had gotten on my nerves. She was good at keeping secrets. My dad had no idea that our week long excursions over the summer were really weight loss retreats that she insisted her and I attend. Maria’s battle with the bulge was rubbing off on me.

It was times like these that I missed Vanessa, my real mom. I was real young when she died in a car crash. My memories of her sometimes seemed vivid and strong and then there were times that I could barely remember her. Those are the times when I would get depressed. My BFFs – Best Friends Forever, Britney Franklin and Jasmine McNeil, usually helped get me out of my funk.

I threw myself across my bed and closed my eyes. Sleep evaded me. I fumbled with my Blackberry and called Britney. “Hey chica,” I said, when she answered.

“Do you want a baby brother or sister?” Britney asked, as I heard the twins crying in the background.

“Nope. My little brother is enough.”

“Precious hit Teddy Junior because he was taking up too much of my attention. Now they both are crying,” she stated. It sounded like the babies were right in the phone as loud as they were.

“Call me back later. When things settle down,” I said.

“No, I can talk. I just buzzed their nanny. She’ll be in any minute.”

“Is Jas back?” I asked.

“She got back last night. She said she was going to text you.”

“She did, but she didn’t mention she was back.”

“I can’t wait to see you guys. It seems like these last two months had us all going in different directions,” Britney said. I no longer heard the twins in the background.

“At least you guys went on real vacations. I was forced to go on these retreats with my mom.”

“I’ve never been to Albuquerque or the Poconos,” Britney said.

“It may have been fun if I wasn’t starving. We didn’t eat anything but green vegetables and maybe a small piece of meat each time. And the long hikes. You ought to see my leg muscles. I should be fit to run a marathon.”

Britney laughed. “Girl, well you should be kicking up your heels during dance rehearsal next week.”

“I can’t wait. I’m hoping we get to perform more this year.”

“Me too. I’ve been practicing some moves. You ought to come over tomorrow so I can show you.”

“I don’t know. I think my mom wants me to spend quality time with her and the family tomorrow. I’ll let you know.”

Britney’s line clicked. “Three-way Jas. That’s her on my other line.”

A few seconds later, Jasmine was on the line. “Did y’all miss me?” Jasmine asked.

“No,” Britney and I said in unison.

“You both will be changing your tune when you see the gifts I brought back for you.”

I sat up in bed while thumbing through a fashion magazine. I said, “I promise to be nice.” I paused and then said, “For a minute anyway.”

We all burst out laughing.

Britney placed us on hold to talk to Marcus. Jasmine said, “I thought her and Marcus was through.”

“Their just friends,” I said, in her defense.

“She knows he still likes her so I don’t know why she keeps stringing him along.”

“I heard that,” Britney said, alerting us she was back on the line.

“Well you are. Marcus is not just trying to be your friend. He wants more. You know it and we know it.”

Jasmine and I didn’t always agree on everything but I did agree with her about Marcus intentions with Britney. Britney and Marcus were boyfriend and girlfriend for a few months but because of Marcus’ cousin, Dylan Johnson or DJ as we called him, their relationship fizzled. Just the thought of DJ, my worst nightmare, made my skin crawl. I thought I was in love with him and he would have taken advantage of my feelings if my friends wouldn’t have intervened.

I heard my name called a few times snapping me out of my bad memory of DJ. “Bri, spill the beans. Are you and Marcus back together or what?” I asked.

“We are just friends. How many times do I have to tell you guys that,” Britney said, sounding frustrated.

“Enough about Bri. I met the cutest guy on the cruise ship. He lives in Los Angeles. Get this. He has relatives in Shreveport so when he comes down to visit, we’ll be hooking up,” Jasmine said. She loved being the center of attention and it was clear that this past summer didn’t change her in that aspect.

We continued to listen to Jasmine tell us about her summer vacation. It had been two months since we had seen each other because of our family summer schedules. My two BFFs would be in for a surprise when they saw me—twenty-five pounds less of me. It’s not like I was keeping a secret but after Jasmine taunted me last year about my weight gain, I didn’t feel comfortable talking to them about my weight.

Jasmine and Britney were naturally thin. Me, I had to work hard at maintaining an average weight. My birth mom was what folks called big-boned and I inherited it from not only her but my dad’s side of the family. My cousins said that I shouldn’t try to lose weight because when I got older I would appreciate having the bigger booty since guys loved a girl with a big butt.

I didn’t know about that, but I did know my weight at the time was one hundred and seventy pounds and it had me stressing. It was more than likely the reason why I became DJ’s victim. I needed to work on more than my weight; I needed to work on my attitude. I had an unforgettable freshman year and I was anxious to see what challenges I would face my sophomore year at one hundred and forty-five pounds.

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LLLB Sneak Peek - Trail of Kisses by Michelle Monkou

Trail of Kisses by Michelle Monkou Excerpt

"I understand the purpose of Operation Oasis in Colorado, no less." Asia Crawford lifted a devilish red lacy thong with the crook of her pinky finger. She eyed the offending object with a raised eyebrow. "What I don't understand is why I'll need this—or any of those." Her gaze shifted to the gifts of books and candy, before she jutted her chin toward the tiny mound of square latex packages.

"I provided the books," Denise remarked. "I don't know what your other sorority sisters have in mind." She wrinkled her nose with distaste.

"Actually I've come to expect this of you, Denise. You've made my birthday parties quite the talk." Asia surveyed the pile of sex accessories. "I'm not sure about what's the connection between getting laid off and getting laid?"

"Sex soothes the soul." Naomi folded her long, athletic body onto the sofa next to her. "Plus, it's been a year since you've been with a man. Although I don't consider Jack to be a real man. So you've had what is called a dry spell. Not good for maintaining positive karma."

"Well, being summoned in the middle of the day at work to Human Resources with an escort, and told that I have to exit the premises immediately, doesn't make me want to have sex." Asia remembered spending the first hour in a fog unable to grasp reality as she'd driven home. When the fog lifted, the full impact threw her emotions into a tailspin. She'd cried, railed at the unfairness and lain in bed staring at the TV into the weekend.

Despite her rationale that her dismissal was purely a business decision, the creeping sense of failure ate at her fragile confidence. Her life appeared to be crumbling like dominoes, as one thing crashed into the other until she lay flat, almost lifeless. Everyone told her that another door of opportunity would open. The thought was sadly comedic. In this economy, she'd have to open the doors, along with the windows.

"Here's a cosmo."

Asia took the drink from Sara. She prepared herself for a lecture, as Sara was known for delivering.

"I know you can't completely put this nasty business out of your mind. But today this intervention has one purpose—a much needed trip to get away from Chicago for a while."

"An intervention?" Asia almost choked on the heavy serving of vodka laced with a hint of cranberry. She had to thump her chest until the hit of alcohol faded. "I don't have any addictions, other than T.G.I. Friday's Brownie Obsession. Not sure what you've heard, although, thanks for all this…I think."

"I'll leave that comment alone. Now, getting back to the matter at hand, Operation Oasis is more than sexy underwear and physical gratification. You've always been there for each of our trials and been there for the celebrations. Let me remind you that the undergrad sorors presented you with the mentorship award for reaching back to pull up your sisters and for serving as a role model. You've done so much for so many. The least we could do is to provide a retreat of sorts with this spring trip to Colorado." Sara's presentation struck a humorous note with Naomi, who snorted. Asia bit her cheek to keep from giggling. "You need some spark back in your life," Sara added, waving off their silly behavior.

"And heck, it can't hurt to jump on a harmless booty call with a sexy, consenting hunk," Naomi added, banging her fist into her open palm.

Asia shook her head, making a face at Naomi's skewed philosophy of life and the role of sex. She shoved the lacy undergarments back into the gift bag. Her sorority sisters meant well when they planned and executed rescue missions. After all, she had participated in, and even led, several. Being on the receiving end was beyond embarrassing, though. All playing aside, her sorors' love threatened to start her tears. And she'd cried enough.

"This is supposed to be a good thing, Asia." Naomi threw her arm around her. "I thought that you'd cheer up."

"Sorry. I'm touched. Y'all are too much… Thank you." This time the tears surfaced. "This is a bit like winning the lottery."

"Yep, an all-expenses-paid getaway in the beautiful springtime Rockies, with a couple of Benjamins thrown in, and the possible bonus of getting picked up by an old rich man." Naomi nudged her in the ribs. "See if he's got a friend."

"Or being picked up by a fashion model on vacation. Good-looking, sexy, confident." Sara sighed with a dreamy expression.

"Hmmm…or a gorgeous bad boy running from the law." Denise did a little dance shuffle.

"Er…that's not going to happen," Asia answered. "None of those other fantasies, either. I plan on catching up on sleep, reading and updating my résumé. I may even go back to college. I'm using this time to kick my butt in gear and get focused. I have bills to pay. No way, no how, am I moving home with my parents." Asia shook her head for reiteration.

Naomi sighed. "You're hopelessly boring at twenty-nine. As the saying goes, Asia, 'Never say never.' Let me get you to the airport and send you on your merry way."

"But let us know how things are going. I wanted to come on the trip, but Naomi wouldn't let me. She thinks that you needed a solitary retreat," Sara added, pouting.

"I'll call, text, tweet." In reality, Asia welcomed the solitude. Having a twin made that goal difficult to attain sometimes.

She used to enjoy the attention, as a child, whenever she and Athena, her identical twin, were together. Dressing alike wasn't distasteful until high school, when she liked the same guy as Athena. When he obviously didn't bother noting the differences between them and crowed about dating twins, she and Athena dumped him, then decided to find their own styles.

Athena took the more brash approach to life, with lots of drama, at least one grounding a month and trips to their grandmother for stern lectures. Asia stayed on the sidelines as a spectator, seeing the distress and disappointment from her parents. Although she envied Athena's zany attitude, she quelled her impulses and worked on pleasing her parents and, in particular, her grandmother.

Now, her sister pursued her dream as a teacher on the small Caribbean island of La Isla del Azur. More importantly, she'd found her soul mate, Collin, and was head over heels in love.

The wild streak in her nature had taken a turn toward calm self-assuredness. Asia wondered if her sister could still understand the tumultuous feelings of discontent. Thank goodness she also had the strong relationships with her sorority sisters.

Naomi clapped her hands. "Party over, my ladies of distinction. Got to get Asia out of here on time. Take whatever food you'd like. Since Asia will be gone for a few weeks, no leftovers allowed."

Asia took the cue to retrieve her suitcases from the bedroom. Naomi had given her a hint about the trip earlier that week with the statement that she stop focusing on pleasing everyone but herself. And her friend had relayed her observations, in excruciating detail, of how Asia had dumbed down who she was to maintain the facade of the perfect life with Jack, her former boyfriend; and how she'd stayed on the same career track in the health field to impress her parents, as Athena had found true happiness.

Naomi, as did the rest of her line sisters, knew her dreams, those that may be far-fetched, along with those tiny wishes that required little of her but to accept willingly. Her candor sealed the decision for Asia. Only then did she pack, because doing so with a time crunch would've made her more frazzled than she already felt.

A knock on the bedroom door interrupted her progress.

"Come in." Asia paused over her makeup bag. "Oh, hey, Sara, what's up?"

"Everyone is diving in to the food. Wanted to take a few minutes to chat with you."

"All right. What's up?" Asia continued tossing in a few last-minute toiletries.

"Nothing." Sara walked over to the edge of the bed and sat. Then she took a deep breath.

"Okay, now you've got me worried. Is something wrong?" Asia set down the bag and joined Sara.

"Gosh, no. This is about you, more than about me." She reached out her hand until Asia felt compelled to take it. "You've been keeping to yourself lately. I'm worried that it's more than being laid off. I'm worried that you're still feeling blue over that jerk."

"You mean Jack?"

"Jack, the jerk…yes, him."

"You don't hold back." Asia liked her privacy, including her personal business. Most times her sorors accepted her quirks. But Sara wasn't one to follow rules. "Jack messed with my head, more than my heart. I'm not brooding about it. But I'd be lying if I said that I plan to go down that romance road anytime soon. My heart has a Do Not Enter sign at the moment."

"Learning a lesson is always a good thing. But you know what I'm going to say."

"That I can't paint all men with the same brush." Asia held up her hand. "I appreciate your words of wisdom but you're the ultimate romantic."

"Don't brush me off. You plan out everything in your life. Success is your middle name. You expect high results and, for the most part, it comes your way. I know that you expected a long relationship with Jack, maybe even ending up in a wedding."

Asia shrugged. Her sorors always did like to psychoanalyze. But she wasn't the type to pull up a chair and share.

No one knew how hurt she was after Jack accused of her not letting him be "the man" in the relationship. The women in her family prided themselves on being strong and in charge of their destinies. She didn't set out to be anything less than that.

Her style intimidated him. So without any warning, he'd rejected her. Their plans to marry, have a family and grow old together were destroyed. He wanted a woman who needed him. Whatever that meant.

She wanted his friendship, commitment, respect. She would've told the whole world, including her sorors, that they had those things between them. Reality forced her to be honest—she saw all of Jack's failures from the beginning. Trying to change him was a futile exercise. Not once did she miss him after they went their separate ways. Her ego, more than her heart, suffered the bruising. However, she didn't plan to repeat the same mistakes or go down the same path.

"Promise you'll get your head together and not dwell on what could have been." Sara reached into her pocketbook and tossed out an additional box of latex protection. "These are highly recommended. A couple of weeks to let the freaky side of Asia emerge. That jerk tried to destroy who you are. The job used your talents and then discarded you. Time for you to relax and do a whole lot of releasing. I know you have it in you. College days weren't so long ago." Sara grinned with too much mischief.

Asia looked down at the box in her hand. One more thing to add to the makeup bag.

"Hurry up, Asia. We need to get on the road." Naomi popped her head into the room.

"Don't overthink. Go. Live life a little. Get your mojo back." Sara kissed her cheek and left the room.

Asia looked around the bedroom. Everything was neatly in its place, thanks to the Container Store. Her life used to fit in neat cubbyholes. Organization, planning ahead and setting goals gave her comfort. She pulled up the handles of her suitcases and yanked them behind her.

She stepped into the living room. "I'm ready."

"Have a blast!" Denise hugged her.

"If you're having too much of a good time, call me. I'll be there in a jiffy." Sara added her hug.

And with a boisterous send-off, Asia accepted her sorors' farewell. Minutes later she headed to the airport for her attitude intervention program in the Rocky Mountains—specifically, Brewers Ridge, Colorado.

Asia walked the path leading to the house. Naomi had promised her a nice rustic vacation spot in the mountains, but the building in front of her wasn't exactly an old-fashioned log cabin. This house, built of massive logs, belonged in a high-end architectural magazine. It was three stories high and separated from any neighbors by lots of surrounding land. For a few weeks, she would have full access to this luxury vacation home. Her line sisters could definitely use this for a girls' retreat.

"Naomi, you sure know how to hook up a sister," Asia mumbled as she pressed the doorbell.

"May I help you?" A middle-aged woman smartly dressed in a tailored pantsuit stood in the doorway. An assessment was made of Asia, with a lingering measured look at the slightly tattered sneakers she wore.

"I'm Asia Crawford. I think you were expecting me."

"Yes." A small frown worked across the woman's head. "Let me see. There you are. For one second, I thought maybe my associate misplaced your reservation. She is new, you see, and still a bit unsure of herself. By the way, I'm Veronica McBeal." She stepped back for Asia to enter. "Did you have any problems with your flight or driver?" Confirmed as a client, Asia now received a warmer reception.

"Nope. As a matter of fact, it was one of the best trips I've had." Flying first class did make a difference—leg room, fine food and passengers of the upper income persuasion.

"Great. Let me give you a tour and then I'll turn over the keys. We have the credit card information already, so we are all set on the little details."

"Thanks." Asia didn't want to know how much this place must cost. Even if she'd planned to use her credit card, she didn't think the limit would've been enough to cover a couple of nights, much less a few weeks.

The rental associate dutifully led her through each level. Her polished presentation reflected excitement as they toured the bedrooms, and then checked out the various amenities, such as the oversize tub with jet propulsion openings. Quite clearly the bathroom facilities held a very personal charm over the woman. Asia planned to discover if her hype was true that night.

"You must have a waiting list for this place." Asia held on to the key with both hands.

"Yes, we always do. The location allows for privacy, but it's close enough to the resorts for ski enthusiasts in the winter. Spring is a perfect time to walk along the hiking trails. We've got a security detail overseeing the property, so you don't have to worry."

Asia nodded. Having a millionaire assaulted or kidnapped would ruin business. Even though she wasn't anywhere near that income bracket, she would have fun playing with the fantasy. Already the urge to relax and let loose stirred in her. An all-expenses vacation tended to have that effect. Too bad she didn't know a soul and didn't plan on making friends.

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LLLB Sneak Peek - The Perfect Seduction by Carmen Green

The Perfect Seduction by Carmen Green Excerpt

Jolted from a heavy sleep by frantic gloved hands, Loren Smith struck back at her attacker, hoping that her life would be spared.

She tried to scream, but could only cough as intense heat seared her lungs. Two firemen came into focus, and Loren realized this wasn't an attack but a rescue.

"Your apartment is on fire and we've got to get out of here," one said firmly.

Loren stabbed her feet into her running shoes and grabbed her large emergency duffel bag that was always packed.

"We're going out that way," the fireman said, moving her swiftly toward the window.

"I can't," she screamed, shaking. "I'll die."

She could hear crackling and bursting beyond her bedroom door and she knew there was only one choice. But she froze in place and didn't reach for the fireman who'd stepped onto the ladder outside the window.

Instead she saw her ex-boyfriend of two years ago, Odesi, who'd stabbed her and then tried to throw her out the window as if she were waste.

Loren pushed back with both feet. The fireman behind her took the bag from her shoulder and tossed it out the second-story window. He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her off her feet. "What's your name?"

"Loren. Loren Smith."

"Loren, I'm Lieutenant Tim Heath. I will not let you die," he said quickly and forcefully. "You will be safe. Lieutenant Tuggle will assist you down the ladder. Do not look down. Now, go!" Loren closed her eyes, and just like that the nightmare returned.

Odesi stabbed her… The paramedics arrived in time… The doctors saved her life… You will never model again.

Tuggle jostled her as embers of her life sprinkled down around her. "Stay with me, Loren."

Finally they were on the ground.

At the bottom she was placed inside the ambulance and given oxygen. The TV camera lights beaming into the small windows. There was pandemonium and all Loren could register as a mask was shoved over her face was that her safe haven of two years was being devoured by flames.

It was still black out, but dawn would approach in hours. Rob Hood tried to hide his gun when he realized the sobbing intruder was Zoe's friend, Loren, but she'd already seen it. He held up his empty left hand.

"Please, don't shoot," they both said at the same time, he with the gun, she with defense spray.

"I won't shoot you," he said, putting the gun on top of the baker's rack. "Why are you here? Why are you crying?"

"Why are you here?" Her back was against the quartz-stone kitchen counter, and she was braced to run. This was more than deer-in-the-headlights want to run. Real fear filled the distance between them, and he knew she would have fought if anything got in her way. Rob held up his hands to let her know he wouldn't stop her or hurt her, and even in her mania he hoped she recognized his desire to keep things calm.

Gripping his crutches, he maneuvered slowly, careful not to put any pressure on his new knee. "Loren, what's wrong?"

"I called Zoe not more than five minutes ago, and she didn't mention that you were here in her house. Never mind. I'll leave." Loren's accent enthralled him; the weighty resonance of it made him want to close his eyes and listen to her as one would a smooth jazz piece. He knew of her African American/Native American heritage because he'd heard Zoe mention her best friend's ancestry. He'd been house-sitting at Zoe's suburban Atlanta house for a week while his twin brother, Ben, and Zoe took a much-needed vacation. The house had been empty—until now.

Loren kept her right arm braced against the center of her body, her hand balled into a fist.

The exotic woman, even without makeup, was beautiful, with smoldering green eyes and cheekbones that were high over expressive full lips. She looked scared. He knew from Zoe that the former hugely successful runway model had been disfigured by a boyfriend. That she'd become a virtual recluse.

"Zoe owes me an explanation," Loren said, wiping her eyes.

Rob recalled meeting Loren the past summer at his house. His attraction to the fair-skinned woman had been immediate, but his curiosity over her desire to be alone had catapulted her into his thoughts repeatedly over the months.

Though he'd mentioned helping the troubled woman through her difficulties to Ben and Zoe, they'd relayed her refusal. The fact that she was before him now was like a dream come true and a nightmare rolled into one. Loren wasn't at all happy to see him.

"Zoe and Ben went on vacation because they wanted to spend some quality time alone. I'm sure you know how much they love each other. Besides, ever since we solved the robberies in her stores, Zoe's been going nonstop. They both needed some downtime."

"Stop. I don't want to hear about my best friend from you. I don't believe a word you're saying. Zoe would have called me. She hasn't been gone from here in Atlanta that long."

The house phone rang and she watched as Rob picked it up. "Zoe, your friend is here and she's scared." Rob took his time getting to the table, his knee tender because he'd just run on it from the bedroom. "I'm putting you on speaker."

"Honey, please don't be alarmed—" Zoe pleaded with Loren over the air.

"Too late," Loren snapped, and eased over to the table as Rob pivoted on his crutches and walked back to the doorway that separated the kitchen from the dining room.

"I'm so sorry. Rob is there recovering from surgery and needed to be in a place that had a bedroom on the main level."

"How could you forget to tell me that you have a man staying here? I can't stay here. And he has a gun."

"I had my gun because I thought you were an intruder. You can stay here," Rob assured her.

"Butt out," Loren snapped at him.

"Loren," Zoe chided. "He's right, you can stay there. Rob is in the guest room downstairs and you can stay in my room upstairs," Zoe explained. "That way he won't have to navigate the steps."

"Why can't he go somewhere else? I thought you told me there were a lot of Hoods? He's got like two sisters and ten cousins and another brother, besides Ben, right? Why can't he go stay with one of them?"

"A slight exaggeration, but yes, sweetie. I'm sorry I didn't tell you he was in the house, but I was so caught up with the news of your apartment, I forgot. But there's more than enough rooms to choose from, and you both are mature adults. You can share living space. He's a good guy, sweetie." Zoe's voice was speaking in an empty kitchen. Loren had gotten up and walked back through the den to the foyer.

Rob hobbled on his crutches to the stairs and watched her get her things together.

"Loren! What are you doing?" Zoe demanded.

"Nothing, Zoe. We'll work it out." Loren had a gazelle-like stride that carried her back into the kitchen, where she grabbed a bottled water out of the stainless-steel refrigerator, and she straightened up the table until everything was exactly as it had been before she arrived. "Everything will be fine. I'll call you in a couple days."

"Promise me you'll stay."

The woman was nothing if not a whirlwind of determination. I can't promise, but I'll let you know if I go somewhere else." Loren sighed.

Rob had placed the phone on the table, and before he could get back, Loren had it in her hand and back onto the base. She eased past without touching him and was up the stairs in a flash.

"Where are you going?" Rob asked, hoping he wouldn't have to wrestle her for the room.

"To get a change of clothes, and then to a hotel."

When Rob got up the stairs, she'd already been through Zoe's closet, chosen what she wanted and was about to head past him when he stopped her.

"What are you doing up?"she demanded. "Zoe said you're staying in the bed room downstairs."

"I was going to stay in there but the TV doesn't work. Besides, I'm all settled in this room."

Loren's look said she didn't think much of his answer. "You should go home."

"I don't have a car. And I'm comfortable here." He watched her closely. "You look like hell." Tall like most runway models, she was at least six foot, but tonight she looked small in her nondescript sneakers and borrowed sweatpants, her black hair frizzy and unkempt.

He'd heard stories of how her career had ended, but tonight he saw that she was truly only a shadow of her former self. "You've got bruises that are turning purple. They're going to be scary-looking tomorrow."

"I've had worse." Loren took the stairs down quickly.

"No hotel worker in their right mind would rent to you. You look like a woman that's got trouble following her."

Rob was at the top of the stairs and he could see that she'd finally stopped at the front door. He took his crutches in his right hand and hopped down a few stairs, holding on to the railing.

Her face was in profile, tear-streaked and stressed. When he'd been on the force, he'd talked criminals into turning themselves in, but he couldn't bet whether Loren would walk out the door.

"Your best friend wouldn't recommend you stay here if I were some type of crazed psychopath. You can leave, but you'd be hurting yourself worse."

Still, she reached for the doorknob.

"Loren," he chided. "Don't be so stubborn."

Her fingers slipped off the knob. Rob watched her for a few seconds. "The bed is made and the bathroom is clean. If you want to talk—"

"I don't want to talk about anything." The weight of the world looked as if it rested on her delicate shoulders. Her nose was red from crying and her wavy black hair was limp and in need of washing. She seriously needed to cry and then sleep.

"Okay. You don't have to, but I'm a good listener."

"Are you some kind of armchair psychologist? My life isn't Monday-morning football. I don't want to talk! I'm not your friend and I don't want to talk to you."

"Okay!" Rob almost laughed, but he could see that wouldn't go over well. Loren wasn't like one of his sisters, all of whom had thick skin and were used to his teasing.

"Good night." He turned around and went into his room upstairs, closing the door behind him.

He lay on the bed, the lights off, and wondered what she was doing. Three distinctive beeps answered his question. She'd set the alarm and left.

Rob turned over, closing his eyes. DeLinda, his wife, appeared, and he knew it was because she and Loren favored so closely. But DeLinda had been dead for two-and-a-half years now, and he only saw her in his mind's eye. He could no longer feel or smell her. She was gone and his heart was ready to love again, but he hadn't met anyone.

He'd thought he'd been right about Loren, but apparently not. Sleep crept over him.

He could hear the lower master bathroom shower started and his eyes slid open.

Rob closed his eyes and saw Loren and the challenge she presented. He took a deep breath and let it seep out of him slowly. He'd never met a challenge he hadn't won over. He'd start by feeding her.

He made his way downstairs and started breakfast just as the sun yawned its awakening.

Loren felt feral in her anger for Rob Hood. He's probably just like all men: not able to be trusted. Why couldn't he have just left?

He was making it impossible for her to rest. Impossible for her to think or to move on with the next phase of reclaiming her life.

She lay on the bed in Zoe's pajamas, which looked more like capri pants on her long legs, and stared at the locked bedroom door with the chair wedged under it.

Her eyes grew heavy with sleep, and the papers she'd been writing on crinkled under her weight. Rob Hood was not trying to break into her room as her mind wanted to imagine, but he was singing and doing a terrible job at it.

Getting up, she took the hoodie off the chair and zipped it to her throat. Opening the locked door, she was stopped at the aromatic pleasure.

What in the hell did he think he was doing? The kitchen was her domain. Loren knew the thought was irrational. Rob probably didn't remember she was a caterer. She'd only been to his house one time, and that was when Zoe had asked her to cook for them.

Now Zoe was in love with Ben and off gallivanting on some island.

Walking through the dining room to the kitchen, Loren found a plate of food on the counter with a note.

On the deck watching the sunrise. Join me.

He'd made eggs over easy and hot dogs. Her most favorite breakfast in the world.

Her gaze ricocheted to the phone. The only way he could have known that was to find out from Zoe.

Her tongue slid across her teeth and her mouth watered. She thought of her freezer full of Sahlen's hot dogs from Buffalo, New York, that were all ruined now. And here she had one hot dog, no bun, a dollop of ketchup on the side. An all-protein breakfast, just the way she liked.

She picked up the plate and considered her options. She could go outside and eat her food with him and watch the sunrise. Or not.

Suspicion doused the tiny bit of comfort she took in his thoughtfulness. What did he want in exchange for making her breakfast? Sure, he was being nice now, but all men were nice at first.

The day would come when Rob would likely turn into an angry, violent beast, and she'd think back to today and wonder why she'd ever walked outside.

Taking her plate into the dining room, she sat at the table and dipped her dog into the ketchup before biting. There wasn't a better hot dog on the planet. Her back to the sunrise, she saw the beautiful fireball crest the horizon in the framed print of van Gogh's Sunflowers. She wished she'd actually gone outside to see the real thing.

All the work that had to be done to restore her life crowded in her mind, and the perfect eggs she'd been enjoying turned flat when she glanced over her shoulder and saw Rob outside, looking at her, one crutch under his arm.

To order online, go to: http://www.eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=20780

LLLB Sneak Peek - Love Me Now by Celeste O. Norfleet

Love Me Now by Celeste O. Norfleet Excerpt

"I'm desperate, you're my only hope. They're killing me over here. They don't listen to what I say, and they've completely trashed the place." Trey Evans looked around miserably at his once immaculate house. He didn't even recognize it. It had only been five hours but already his house was a complete mess. Trey thrived on order and control, and losing both at the same time was a nightmare for him. "I need you here now, please," he pleaded.

She didn't even try to veil the I-told-you-so amusement in her voice. "I thought you told me you planned for this. You said that you had everything under control. You had a backup plan in place just in case, remember? And, if I'm not mistaken, you also said that you didn't need my help."

"I did have a backup plan. I called an agency a few days ago. I interviewed three women yesterday afternoon."

"And?" she prompted.

"And unfortunately I got the distinct impression that they were more interested in taking care of me than the twins. I think they considered the interview more of an invitation to fill the position by my side permanently." She laughed out loud. "This isn't funny. Kelly, I need you over here now," he insisted more firmly.

"Trey, I told you the last three times you called, I can't do it. It's impossible."

"Nothing's impossible."

"This is," Kelly Rhames, his assistant, said, seeing the flight attendant opening the breezeway to the waiting plane. "Trey, I'm boarding a flight in exactly one minute. I can't just tell everyone to stop, hold everything, while I pop over to your house."

"I'll get you a private jet to take you wherever you want to go," he promised desperately.

"I can't," she said.

"Sure you can," he cooed, turning on the charm.

"Trey, this was your idea, remember, a three-week cruise in the Mediterranean. We've been looking forward to this for weeks. I'm not going to pass it up."

"I'm not asking you to pass it up. I wouldn't ask such a thing, you know me better than that. But I had no idea this was going to happen."

"You can run a multimillion-dollar company, and move millions around like Monopoly money, but when it comes to two toddlers, you panic."

"I'm not panicking."

"Yes, you are. You got yourself into this," Kelly said, more than a little amused by the situation.

"I know, I know. I thought it was going to be easy."

"You are kidding, right?" she asked rhetorically.

"You wouldn't believe what I've been going through this morning. There are toys everywhere. They don't listen to me and every surface in the house has messy, sticky fingerprints. And I have no idea how they got Cheerios in the DVD player." Kelly chuckled. "It's not funny. I need help," Trey said.

"You certainly do, but not from me."

"Okay fine, then find someone for me."

"You just can't order up a human being, particularly one with the credentials you need," his assistant said. "Besides, it's a holiday weekend, everybody's—"

"Kelly, I don't care what you have to do, or how much it costs, I need somebody over here now. I can't do this alone."

"Sorry, Trey, you're on your own."

"Am I gonna have to make this a direct order and put your job on the line?" he threatened sternly. "I'm serious." The conversation was over as far as he was concerned. End of discussion. He didn't want to hear excuses or promises or anything else. He was used to an immediate response, and he didn't like waiting for anything or anybody. All he wanted was results. And that's always what he got. Except…

Kelly chuckled, knowing, of course, that Trey was kidding. "You know that won't work with me or anyone else that knows you well. You may be the Iceman to the rest of the world, but not to those who really know you."

"Fine, Ms. Rhames," he began, "I'm making this a direct order. Your job is on the line here. I don't care what you have to do, no excuses, just do it."

Of course she ignored the empty threat. She'd been his personal assistant for too long to take him seriously. She turned, hearing the first boarding announcement, and saw her husband motion to her. "Trey, relax, you'll do fine. Few bachelors get the opportunity to test the waters like this. Just calm down and enjoy the ride. I gotta go. Take care. And before you ask, I'm not calling you and don't call me. See you when I get back." She hung up.

Trey was stunned. He stood there a few seconds with the phone still at his ear. He couldn't believe this. Saying no to him wasn't exactly a brilliant career strategy. Few people had even dared try something so risky. Kelly did it repeatedly.

But to her credit, she kept him in check. She reminded him of his principles, and was his very own Jiminy Cricket at times. How their relationship came to be what it was was beyond him. One day she just stood up for herself and talked back, even scolded him. Since then, she was in charge and it seemed he worked for her.

The phone rang. He answered. "All right, fine, I'll see what I can do, but no promises." She hung up again.

He smiled then nodded his head assuredly. If anyone would come through for him she would. He tossed his cell phone onto the sofa. Frustration shadowed his face as he looked down at the seemingly innocent twins grabbing on to his legs. If anything, he'd learned that the sweet sparkle in their eyes belied the mischievousness of their actions.

"What did you do? Better yet, what are you about to do?" he asked suspiciously. The question was rhetorical, of course. At sixteen months the twins spoke just enough to communicate their needs. They also seemed to have a language that only they understood. He was outnumbered, two to one. They had the advantage and they knew it.

"Whatever it is, don't even think about it," he warned. With playful expressions, they smiled back at him. They giggled then dashed off in two different directions. "Oh, no, you don't, not this time. I got you." He quickly scooped up his cousins and held them securely under his arms. They giggled and squirmed, trying to free themselves, but his grip was tight.

"What was I thinking?" he muttered, bemoaning his current situation. His head was pounding. He was jet-lagged, overworked and just plain exhausted. Maybe hanging out with his friends all night, then flying in at dawn, wasn't one of his better ideas. Of course, volunteering to watch the twins for a week was another huge blunder. He still had no idea what made him do it. Yes, he did.

"What, you think I can't do it?" Trey had bragged a month earlier after the monthly poker game with his family and friends. He looked around the table. It was obvious that no one took him seriously.

"Give up," Raymond teased, "you're not gonna win."

"Let's just say you'll never have to prove us wrong. The likelihood of your babysitting skills actually being tested is remote at best," Tony said as he fanned out the cards in his hand.

"What do you mean remote?" Trey asked. Faced with a challenge, he never backed down.

"Well," J.T began, "that would mean Madison, Tony, Mom, Dad, Kennedy, your mother, Mamma Lou, Juliet, Regina, Hope, Faith, Alyssa, Raymond, Randolph, Juwan, Colonel Wheeler, Dennis and about two hundred and fifty other people on the list were unavailable. But don't worry, you're babysitting just after a dog catcher in Arizona named Pete." They all laughed.

"Wait, wait," Trey complained, "how in the world is Raymond so high up on the list? He doesn't have kid skills, either."

"I do have a medical degree," Raymond informed him.

"Plastic surgeons aren't real doctors. They hand out cosmetics at counters," Trey said. Tony laughed. Raymond nearly fell over laughing. Juwan just shook his head as Randolph cleared his throat and looked away.

"I can't believe this, my own cousin's gonna hang me out like that, huh?"

"Come on, Trey, you're only concerned with business," J.T. said. They all nodded. "Taking care of toddlers—twins—is a full-time job. That means no distractions."

Trey eyed them indignantly. The fact that they had absolutely no faith in his babysitting skills was insulting. Never one to back down, he stepped up to the challenge.

It was the last hand, the most important one of the night. It was never for cash. Everyone anted up, tossing in a task they either needed done, or immensely disliked—painting the garage, cleaning windows, detailing cars, cleaning out the attic or, in this case, babysitting. Everyone folded except Trey and Tony. Tony won. When Madison found out days later, she was livid with both of them.

"Trey, are you sure you're ready for this?" Tony asked several weeks later.

"I still can't believe you wagered babysitting the twins in a poker game," Madison said sternly to her husband. "What exactly were you thinking?"

"I had a full house," Tony said. Madison looked at him menacingly. "Okay, okay, it was all in fun, Madi," Tony promised. "Who would've thought that we'd actually need a babysitter on such short notice." Madison shook her head. "Look, don't worry about it. You go, I'll stay here."

"No, we'll both stay," Madison said. Trey was her first cousin. She loved him dearly, but he was in no way responsible enough to care for her twins.

The actual trip wasn't scheduled for another two months. But when Madison found out that her sister Kennedy was pregnant, plus had a virus and had to go on immediate bed rest, she knew she needed to be there. Unfortunately, the twins weren't ready for the long trip yet.

"No—Madi, Tony, why should you?" Trey protested. "With Kennedy pregnant and on bed rest, you need to be there. They need you. With the museum show opening, Aunt Taylor is gonna need all the help she can get. They're looking forward to you being there, both of you. Go, take a break, enjoy. I'll take good care of the twins while you're away."

Madison looked worried. "I wish Hope could come down or Faith didn't have that nurse's seminar. And Juliet—"

"Juliet is eight months pregnant and counting. There's no way she can run behind the twins. Hope is pregnant and in the middle of a major fund-raiser at the Ray of Hope Foundation. Alyssa is still getting her grandmother settled at the Spirit Center in San Francisco. See, everyone's either away or unable to come. I'm here, ready and willing," Trey said.

"Trey, you have absolutely no idea what you're getting into," Madison added.

"Are you saying that I can't do it?" Trey challenged.

"This isn't a dare or a competition, Trey. The twins will wear you down. They're toddlers. There's no way you can handle them alone," Tony said. "What about hiring Mrs. Thatcher for the week."

Trey shook his head. "I can't believe you have so little faith in me."

"It has nothing to do with having faith in you," Madison said. "It has everything to do with not being used to having kids around the house. You're the only bachelor I know who keeps his home immaculate without a housekeeper. Kids are messy. Twins are doubly messy. Mrs. Thatcher is a godsend. We've used her on several occasions. I just hope she's available. Or we can even call Mamma Lou."

Trey instantly froze. The mere mention of the name gave him the shivers. "No need to call Mamma Lou," Trey said quickly, adding firmly, "I can do this, alone."

Tony smiled knowingly then shook his head. He remembered that reaction well. His grandmother was notorious. Bachelors feared her like the plague.

"What about work?" Madison interjected.

"True," Tony added, "you're not the kind of guy to just stay home and play Mr. Mom for a week."

"What, I can't take a few days off? I own the company, remember? I can pretty much do what I want. So, with that said, have a little faith. I can do this. It'll be my pleasure."

"Okay, fine," Tony relented. They looked at Madison.

"Okay, okay, but I'm giving Kelly Mrs. Thatcher's phone number, just in case."

The expression on their faces was all the motivation he needed. They had relented and finally changed their minds. He smiled victoriously. He had successfully convinced them that he could do it. Now the question was, could he?

A day later, he got Kelly to pick up a few things. He personally went to toy and furniture stores and spared no expense. He intended to do this right. Nearly cleaning them out, he purchased everything he ever imagined the twins might need or want.

When Madison and Tony saw the room he prepared, they were stunned. They made a few changes, but ultimately, he was on top of this game, as usual. He expected the week-long stay to be a breeze. He was wrong.

The twins squirmed and squealed in his arms. He sighed heavily. "It must have been low blood sugar or a temporary lapse of sanity," he muttered as he deposited them in a playpen set up in the dining room. Moments later he turned to the mess in the kitchen. "How could two little kids make such a huge mess?" he asked the empty kitchen.

When Tony and Madison dropped them off before dawn, they were peacefully asleep in their baby beds. He expected them to remain that way, at least for a while. But as soon as the door closed they woke up, and he'd been running around ever since—five hours, twenty-three minutes and a few odd seconds.

The cereal-covered kitchen floor crunched underfoot. Trey lifted his bare feet and grimaced. It had taken him half the morning just to get them dressed and fed. Most of the food was still on him, on them and all over the kitchen. He peeled the French toast he'd cooked off the floor and refrigerator then grabbed a broom.

It took thirty-three minutes to clean the kitchen although it usually only took fifteen. He looked at his watch. Tokyo would be opening in a few hours. He needed to review Friday's closing numbers to get a jumpstart on the market. It was a holiday here in the States but not in the rest of the world. Business was business and he never lost sight of that.

He went into the dining room and peered into the playpen. The twins were innocently playing with their toys. They looked up at him, then at each other. Trey squinted warily, sensing a possible coup in progress. He knelt down to eye level as they stood holding on to the mesh-padded sides. They smiled, and he couldn't help but chuckle.

His cousin, Madison, and her husband, Tony, had created two adorable children. With large brown eyes, fat cheeks and perfect pouty mouths, they looked more like cherubs than toddlers.

To order your copy, go to: http://www.eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=20430

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LLL&B Chats with Carmen Green January 28 2010

Join Live, Love, Laugh and Books as we welcome Carmen Green to our January Chat.

Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010
Time: 8:00pm until 9:00pm EST
Where: http://chat.parachat.com/chat/login.html?room=LiveLoveLaughandBooks&width=600&height=400&bg=FFFFFF&lang=en

The Perfect Seduction
by Carmen Green

Loren Smith's new career as a pastry chef is finally bringing the former model out of her shell. But when a fire forces her to move in with her best friend, she doesn't expect to be living under the same roof as sinfully seductive Robinson Hood! And soon the sexy undercover investigator makes her his personal mission.

Rob finds Loren as fragile and irresistible as the airy confections she whips up—and he isn't about to let her go back into retreat mode. The widowed P.I. wants her to know only his sensual touch. But first Rob has to earn her trust. Which means taking it slow and hot until he has the wary beauty right where he wants her—in his arms, in his bed…and in his heart.