I wanted to temp and tease you with my new book.. Hot off the proverbial presses with Sugar and Spice Press (www.sugarnspicepress.com). Here is a taste :)
Blurb....
Jasmine Darling. Anyone who heard the name would think steamy nights with a sexy Southern Belle. But the husky drawl that Ben Winters heard came from a woman dressed in uniform. She carried a gun in the middle of a jungle and was sent to rescue him. She intrigued Ben from the very beginning and made him wonder what was hidden beneath the tough exterior she showed the world. To everyone else in her unit she was J.D. and one of the boys. She would be Jasmine to him when he took her to the heights of passion and desire smoldered in her eyes.Benjamin Winters. The name on her lips made her think of offices and three piece suits. Not the sexy man who now invaded her dreams. They were stuck together on a mission that could not fail. But when he looked at her she felt less like a special operations soldier and more like a woman. She kept her secret hidden like the camouflage she wore. Now Ben's kisses threatened the thick walls she had built to make it in a world of all men. Did she dare let him see the real woman beneath the facade? Could he handle every part of her life without breaking her heart?
Excerpt...
They went downstairs hand in hand and walked around exploring the villa for a little bit before heading to the kitchen to look for Ben. They found him, and he looked up from the slices of bread that were spread across the stone countertop. Jasmine smiled when he looked at the scrubbed Vanessa and winked. Jasmine saw his eyes widen when he saw her without the uniform.
Laugher rose up from his chest in a rich deep baritone that was quite enjoyable to listen to. But she knew it was his reaction to the pink T-shirt she wore.
Jasmine pointed a finger at him. “Don’t say a word. We’re matching twins this evening.”
Ben unsuccessfully tried to smother the wide grin that spread across his face. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” He directed his gaze to Vanessa and teased, “And who is this lovely lady with you? I don’t seem to remember her.”
Jasmine was glad to hear the little girl giggle and knew she was on the mend from her ordeal. She took Vanessa’s small hand so she could perform a twirl. “This is Miss Vanessa.”
With caution in his step, Ben approached the youngest of their group. Jasmine silently commended him for knowing that even though she smiled and played, any sudden moves or surprises could scare her—especially from a man as big as him.
He crouched down to the little girl’s level and said softly, “Nice to meet you, Vanessa. Are you hungry?”
The little girl nodded and gave him a hug which Ben returned willingly. He took her hand and helped her up on the stool in front of a plate with a sandwich and a big glass of juice. He turned to head back around the counter to his own food just as Jasmine was moving. Their bodies collided, and his arms went around her automatically. He didn’t have to pull me so close, Jasmine thought. He doesn’t have to stare at me with those emerald green eyes.
Desire smoldered in those eyes, and everything around her seemed to melt away. “Sorry,” she whispered and stepped away.
The urge to step back into his arms was a temptation she fought hard to resist. Instead she sat next to Vanessa, who looked up happily while munching away on her meal. Jasmine thought it best to give Ben a wide berth for the duration of their stay.
They ate, then talked with the now animated and delightful Vanessa, who convinced them to let her watch her favorite cartoons on the big screen television they found in the entertainment room. While she watched from the sofa, her eyes began to droop. When she leaned against Jasmine and asked her not to let anything bad happen while she was asleep before she popped a thumb into her mouth, Jasmine was lost. She glimpsed the life she could have, and for once, she broke her own rule; she let emotion into her job.
They ate, then talked with the now animated and delightful Vanessa, who convinced them to let her watch her favorite cartoons on the big screen television they found in the entertainment room. While she watched from the sofa, her eyes began to droop. When she leaned against Jasmine and asked her not to let anything bad happen while she was asleep before she popped a thumb into her mouth, Jasmine was lost. She glimpsed the life she could have, and for once, she broke her own rule; she let emotion into her job.
When Vanessa was completely lost to the dream world, Jasmine picked up the little girl, refusing Ben’s help to take her upstairs to the bedroom. She got her settled in the bed, made sure the windows were secure, and left the light on and the door cracked just in case nightmares woke her. Jasmine would be there in seconds to soothe her fears, but until then, while Vanessa slept, she would walk the perimeter and make sure everything was secure.
Ben walked into the kitchen while she was putting her gun into the waist of her jeans at the small of her back. “There is nothing sexier than a woman wearing a Hello Kitty shirt and carrying a gun.”
Jasmine threw a look over a shoulder. “You stay inside. I’m going to check the grounds.”
“Honey, look over there, and you’ll see a security system to rival the one at the White House,”
Ben pointed out. “An earthworm can’t even turn in the garden without us knowing.”
“Systems fail. I prefer to do my own recon,” Jasmine answered shortly.
“Back to being G.I. Jane,” Ben murmured.
“Excuse me, but this G.I. Jane saved your ass in the jungle a few hours ago,” Jasmine pointed out. “Typical, you hear my name, and you see me hangout with the kid, and you automatically think I am soft. Trust me, Ben Winters. I can take you on any day.”
“Yeah, you are a tough cookie, and I’m sure you could knock me on my ass, Jasmine,” Ben acknowledged. “But I can see there’s more to you. Something underneath that hard shell you show the world. Somehow I think you’re running away from being in the same room as I am.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Really?” Ben moved toward her, and Jasmine stepped back until she was pressed against the kitchen counter. “Kiss me and prove me wrong.”
“I don’t have to prove anything.” Jasmine felt her heart begin to flutter in her chest.
Ben braced a hand on both sides of her body, blocking her getaway, pinning her with a jade green stare. “Prove it,” he repeated softly. “I dare you.”
Jasmine gave in to his soft dare. She took the gun from her waist and placed it on the counter before she took his face in her hands. The texture of his five o’ clock shadow tickled her palms. She took his lips in a kiss, devouring him, and slipping her tongue into his mouth. But it was her moan she heard mingled with his when he took control and kissed her back. For one moment she decided to give in and let herself feel something more than just living a job. It was like a match that burned to flame when struck, and Jasmine opened herself up to the passion he stoked inside her with just a kiss. She wanted to be taken, to be filled, and to fall apart in his arms as arousal broke free from a dam she kept reined in tight. Tonight she would relish in being wanton and sultry.
Ben gave a low groan, and his hand slid around her waist, pulling her to him and away from the counter. The kiss turned wild and hot, and yet he moved back slowly. Jasmine wondered vaguely where they were going but soon didn’t care. Ben took over the onslaught of her mouth, and Jasmine accepted his hunger and passion. He pulled away. His eyes were filled with raw hunger, and it made her tremble in excitement. His steps had led them back to the family room where the fireplace crackled and the plush white carpet was set off by the red leather furniture.
Ben stepped away and walked to the warmth of the fire. He turned and extended his hand out to her and said simply, “Be with me.”
Her steps didn’t falter when she went to him. The magnetic pull of attraction was not to be denied. Jasmine took his hand, and he pulled her to him. Without hesitation, his lips took hers and stoked the flame of passion once more.
