Today on
First Kiss Friday, we welcome romance author, Sandra Masters, and an excerpt
from her Historical Romance novel, “Once
Upon A Duke,” the first book in ‘The Duke’ series.
Serena, an artist and widow,
has no desire for another husband. When she meets Geoffrey Austen, attraction
sizzles to a scorch. Stolen days and nights ignite forbidden passion. Geoffrey
asks Serena to be his mistress, but she wants commitment, love, and marriage,
not an affair with a notorious rake.
Geoffrey realizes Serena
might be the one woman who can care for his tortured soul, and maybe release
his demons. The magic they shared is shattered when he learns she has been
forced into an engagement with another. He vows to save her even at the cost of
his own life.
First Kiss Excerpt
Lord Austen’s
stance was presumptive with his feet wide apart, one hand held his riding crop
at his hip. “I do not know which of us you mean.”
“Perhaps you
will figure it out,” she flirted back.
Serena noted the
twinkle in his blue eyes, as his full dimpled smile emerged. She had a sudden
desire to touch that arrogant face. What was it about this man? Her gaze
centered on a straight scar down his right cheek. It intrigued her.
“Allow me to
explain,” Lord Austen laughed. “You see, I am considered quite unsuitable for
marriage to most respectable ladies. My reputation precedes me, in part because
I allow it. The rest is a fabrication of gossip I refuse to dispel.”
“You are a true
rogue? Should I be worried? Are you good at your craft? I am told that a man
with a rake’s soul can be a dangerous excitement.”
“So many
questions, my lady, which require a thoughtful response. Let me say I have had
no complaints.”
“It grieves me
to wound you, but since I have not heard about you or your notoriety, could it
be possible we do not travel in the same social circles? Should I swoon and
fall at your feet? Perhaps I do not find you irresistible.”
Her stomach
tightened when he strode toward her in lightning-fast motion. Her breath
quickened. His arms uprooted her from the seat, his finger rested under her
chin with just enough pressure to tilt it upward.
“Have you not
been unattached long enough? Do you desire a man in your bed? If so, I could be
persuaded.”
“Perhaps I am
the one who needs persuasion.” Against the warning bell in her head, she opened
to him when his lips claimed hers. Their tongues teased and the kiss lingered,
laced with intimacy. Her body swayed, and made Serena aware of her heartbeat
against his chest.
She traced the
scar at his cheek, curious how he’d sustained such an injury. Perhaps her
heated fingertips would erase the memory of pain to fade away. Serena knew too
much about such marks. Her uncharacteristic response, in spite of her fear,
confused her. His allure difficult to resist.
She embraced him,
pressed her breasts against his chest and experienced a pleasurable frisson
that warmed her, his spice and clove cologne an additional attraction. Serena
again enjoyed how his mouth plundered and tasted her lips. His skillful tongue
flicked in erotic foreplay, something she had heard of but never experienced.
She quivered when he pulled his mouth from hers.
“My reckless
lady, your kisses are the sweetest I have tasted. I must have more.” He again
crushed her against him. Seeking. Tasting. Wanting. Taking. Demanding.
Lord Austen set
her body afire as he explored, tantalized. An odd sensation stirred within her
and caused a tingle in her lower body. Strange, to her it had no name, but it
delighted.
He untied her
hair ribbon, released the untamed dark curls that fell free against her
shoulders. The red band lay unheeded on the pine-needled ground.
“I like you this
way,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. “Do my lips satisfy your
desire, my lady? You look wild and wanton, an eager beauty I must possess.”
“I am no man’s
possession.”
She reeled from
Lord Austen’s sensual assault. His blatant arousal pressed against her and
rather than desire, it filled her with fear. His nearness too intimate. His
touch too hot. His desire too obvious.
A sinful leer crossed
his face. He took her hand and placed her palm against his hardened manhood.
“This is the kind of rake I am.”
She yanked away
from him, and sent a hard slap to his face. “You assume too much. I do not play
this game.”
“I think you are
well-practiced in such games, dear lady.”
“How dare you
tarnish me so? You go too far.” She chastised herself for her role in fanning
the flames, but she’d never admit it to him. Serena raised her chin in
defiance, looked away, and pointed an accusing finger toward the fall of his
breeches. “A mild flirtation does not cause that. I suggest you swim in the
cool lake water to ease your discomfort.”
She reached for
her large canvas bag of art supplies, marched straight to her horse, and
attached the bag to the custom-made leather strap on her saddle. She mounted
Sheba and reined her horse to face the man who stood with his mouth agape. “Do
not visit this place again if I am here. This is not a request, Lord Austen. If
you do not abide my wishes, I will report your transgression to my brother. Do I make myself clear?”
Lady Serena
lightly touched her horse’s rump with her whip and cantered off without a
backward glance.
Lord Austen
rubbed his cheek, ran his finger down the welt that would soon bruise….He
recalled the pleasure when her generous breasts pressed against his chest and he’d envisioned his body above hers. In
his mind, he saw her writhe in ecstasy beneath him. She would beg him to make
her his own.
Lord Austen
closed his eyes and imagined the pleasure of touching her most intimately, inch
by inch, and time and time again, until they were both exhausted and sated. He
would wager she wouldn’t slap him then.
He mounted his
stallion and gave another hearty laugh. “Solomon, I am tempted to place a bet
in the White’s Club books that she will be mine by week’s end, perhaps even
sooner. He guided his horse along the well-worn path to his host’s large manor
house whistling a bawdy tune.
“Once Upon A Duke” is available through:
Bonnie: Thank you for the guest opportunity to on your blog. His Grace, the Duke of Austen, was the hero of my debut book. To say he is still memorable would be an understatement. As a newbie entering the vast romance market it is still a thrill to share this naughty rogue. I hope your readers enjoy reading about him as I did creating him. Have a great day, All.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I loved the book and hope many more will discover it!
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