FREE READS...That's right, FREE

It's not often you get something for free.
Sex is never free. It usually costs dinner and a movie and 20 minutes of begging just to get her to touch it.
But I am getting off topic.
PRINCESS' GONE WILD
http://www.amazon.com/Princesses-Gone-Wild-ebook/dp/B00514HGL6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329878908&sr=1-1
and WHISPERS IN THE DARK
http://www.amazon.com/Whispers-in-the-Dark-ebook/dp/B006074V9I/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329873046&sr=1-11
Are both completely free for 5 days.
Thats right, 5 days.
So what are you waiting for.
GO GET THEM.
Hope you enjoy them and spread the word. We love giving things away and I really love these stories.

With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop

Let's have some fun with this.
It's a HUGE Blog Hop and I want everyone to join in.
I'm giving away 2 books, (OWNED and REMEMBER WHEN) to 2 lucky winners but there are so many more great giveaways.
Just leave your email addy so I can draw from the names.
I recommend going to my site www.slcarpenter.net and signing up for my newsletter. I'm having more and more contests and this is a great way to keep up.
I won't bore you with things. I like having fun.

My newest question is what was the best gift your mate ever got you for Valentine's Day?

 

Cupid has surely hit this hop with a golden arrow!

So here’s how the hop goes each of the participating author below is going to run a contest on their blog for the readers to enjoy! So make sure you stop by all the stops on the hop. I know you won’t be disappointed!

Contest starts February 11, 2012 and ends February 14, 2012 at midnight.

Click authors name to go to their site…

1. Drea Becraft: Necklace, Ring, and Promo goodie bag
2. Jean Joachim: [Unknown]
3. Elizabeth Black: A copy of either “Filthy Leuker” or “Feral Heat”
4. Sandra Sookoo:$10 Amazon GC plus $10GC from Bath and Body Works
5. Lindsay Klug: 2 GCs to an online book retailer
6. Malia Mallory: Winners choice of any current release eBook
7. Belinda McBride: Winner’s choice of a book from my backlist
8. Kellie Kamryn: 8×10 print  & choice of Backlist
9. Kelly Jamieson: Copy of Rule of Three
10. Dawne Prochilo: Callie’s Way- The VW Club Book 1
11. Laura Tolomei: ebook The Sex Book 1 Virtus Saga
12. Margay Leah Justice : Electronic copy of Sloane Wolf
13. Opal Carew: A print copy of Insatiable
14. PD Singer: Choice off backlist or The Rare Event & a PD Singer keychain
15. Sarah Grimm: Free digital download of one of my books
16. Tara Lain: A choice from my backlist and a $10 Starbucks card.
17. Tracy Sumner: Copies of my entire set of releases
18. Venessa Johnson: Ebook of their choice from my titles at Red Rose Publishing
19. Cassandre Dayne: Copy of Treacherous Hunger – full length novel
20. Havan Fellows: 2 winners – choice of book from my backlist
21. Dakotah Black: Copy of The Flamingo Wrangler – second in the Pinked Series
22. DH Black: Copy of Inferno – the second in the Retribution Collection
23. Selena Kitt: Winner’s choice – any TWO of my ebooks!
24. Ella Jade: $10 Amazon GC
25. Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy: Ecopy-A Patient Heart & print-Love Never Fails
26. Elizabeth Noble: [Unknown]
27. Sara York: $20 at Amazon
28. Kharisma Rayne: 2 backlist Ebooks of choice
29. Simply Erotic Reviews: [Unkown]
30. Trinity Blacio: two of my books in pdf & a copy of one of my print books.
31. Carrie Ann Ryan: $10 Amazon GC
32. Mary Abshire: ebook from my Soul Catcher series
33. Julie Lynn Hayes: Winner’s choice of backlist.
34. Jayne Rylon: $10 gift certificate to Samhain Publishing
35. Doris O’Connor: One of my available titles, Winners Choice
36. Barbara Westbrook: Ebook copy of Standing on Stolen Ground
37. Shannon West: ebook copy of Georgia Heat
38. Crymsyn Hart: [Unknown]
39. Robin Badillo: $20 Amazon GC &  copies of Midnight Beckoning & Flesh Wounds
40. Gabrielle Evans: $50 Amazon GC
41. Louisa Bacio: See’s Gift Certificate, 1 .pdf book from my backlist.
42. Desi Moon: Ecopy of Summerland and an Ecopy of The Tempting Cupid
43. Daryl Devore: A copy of my twisted fairy tale – Sexy Red Hood
44. Victoria Adams: 2 copies of contemporary romance – Circles Interlocked
45. Natalie-Nicole Bates: pdf of Change of Address & a limited-edition perfume
46. Sarah Ballance: PDF copy of UNFORGIVEN
47. Tara Lain: The winners choice of any Tara Lain book (two winners)
48. W. Lynn Chantale: [Unknown]
49. Laura Kaye: $10 amazon gift card
50. Stacey Kennedy: Ebook of Supernaturally Kissed
51. Kelly Jamieson: Copy of Rule of Three
52. Daisy Dunn: A copy of The Portal ebook and a $10 Amazon gift card
53. Rawiya: A choice of ebook on backlist
54. Lee Brazil:  6 ebooks
55. Kacey Hammell: Ebooks, author goodies
56. Xavier Axelson: Ebook copy of Never Say Never Anthology
57. Heaven Eldeen: 2 See’s Candy GC, 2 copies of The Demon Side, & 6 book marks
58. Vanessa A Johnson: $10 GC to Red Rose Publishing and ebook copy off backlist
59. Wendy Smith:  $10 gift certificate to Amazon.com
60. Anne Barwell: An ebook copy Shadowboxin
61. Staci Brush: Ecopy of From Your Valentine
62. Natasha Blackthorne: [Unknown]
63. Marie Rose Dufour: A ecopy of Fated Mates and a $10 GC to ARe or Bookstrand
64. J.D. Faver: A choice of downloads and a Bad Girls Need Love Too…tee shirt
65. Cari Quinn: $5.00 Amazon/B&N gift certificate and 2 of my backlist ebooks
66. Tara Manderino: E-copy of Taking Chances, or Heart Quest
67. Carol DeVaney: Copy of A Perfect Match
68. Naughty Night Press: ecopies of  Spontaneous Liaisons & Seeing Red
69. Heather Boyd: A PDF copy of The Almack’s Alternative
70. Fiona McGier: 2 signed paperbacks of winner’s choice from my backlist
71. Cassandra Dean: A copy of ENSLAVED, plus signed author goodies.
72. Lucy Felthouse: Winner’s choice of my single-author backlist titles
73. Tarah Scott: Copy of When A Rose Blooms
74. Penelope Rivers: Ecopy of my Valentines Day Short
75. Kerry Adrienne: $25 GC to Amazon or Barnes and Noble
76. Lou Sylvre: e-book copy of Delsyn’s Blues
77. DC Juris: winner’s choice of 1 pdf from my backlist
78. Harper Kingsley: 4 ebooks to 4 different winners. 1 signed print book.
79. KT Bishop: Ecopy of Careless Heart
80. Karen Cino: A copy of my book of love poems
81. Elaina Lee: Bath and Body Works Paris Amour fragrance set
82. Dawn Roberto: $10 gift certificate to All Romance Ebook Store
83. Giselle Renarde: [Unkown]
84. S.J. Frost: Winner’s Choice of one title from my backlist in ebook
85. Keta Diablo: 2 PDFs of Crossroads
86. Kayelle Allen: [Unknown]
87. Kaily Hart: [Unkown]
88. No Boundaries Press: 1 Book A month for 6 months & 3months
89. Tammy Dennings Maggy: free electronic copy of my book of poetry
90. Lyric James: E-copy of A Gift of Chocolate and $5.00 gift-cert to Amazon
91. Casey Crow: e-book copy of Can’t Fake This
92. Empi Baryeh: 2 copies of  Most Eligible Bachelor + a $10 books gift certificate
93. Guilty Pleasure Book Reviews: 22 books from the participating authors
94. Kiru Taye: 2 copies His Strength eBook & 2 copies RWoWA  Anthology
95. Siobhan Kinkade: (1) copy of Something In the Air
96. Olivia Starke: $10 Amazon gift card to anyone & Sweets & Swag to 1 US winner
97. Mike Woody: Free copy of  ’Twisted Hearts Tales.’
98. Coral Moore : 5 eBook copies of my stories, winner’s choice
99. Jambrea Jo Jones: pdf copy of Magnus
100. Velvet Rose: Copy of my ebook, Sexy Little Bites
101. Shelia Goss: Two ebooks: Her Invisible Husband and Tosha’s Invisible Man
102. Lily Sawyer: winner’s choice of one of my books
103. Naomi Bellina: Winner’s choice of ebook and an Amazon gift certificate
104. H.B. Pattskyn: A signed copy of Heart’s Home
105. Brenda Williamson: $50 Jewelry Shopping Spree + A pdf copy from my backlist
106. Ruth Hill: Any book up to $10 from Book Depository
107. Jane Wakely: [Unknown]
108. Kaye Manro: [Unknown]
109. Kathryn R. Blake: Beautiful Jewlery
110. Shay MacLean: [Unknown]
111. Naughty Author Chicks: 10 ebooks and $20 gift certificate too
112. Frances Pauli: Three winners can select any e-book from back list
113. Jennifer Labelle: ebook copy of Leather and Pleasure & A Wicked Wager
114. Jennie Marsland: Copy of  ”Shattered.”
115. Avril Ashton: Two ebooks from backlist
116. KB Alan: ebook of Sweetest Seduction & a necklace
117. Erica Pike: e-copy  A Life Without You, Hot Hands, A Grade-A-Sex-Deal.
118. Anne Rainey: winner’s choice of one of my ebooks
119. Willa Edwards: $10 gift certificate to bookstrand.com
120. Kimberly Gardner: 1 ebook copy of The Shape of a Heart
121. Carol Preflatish: I’ll be giving away one of my books
122. D.C. McMillen: Choice of book from the erotic humor series, Nauti-Lust
123. Sean Michael: An ebook copy of Smoke and Fire
124. AJ Jarrett: $25 Gift Card to Amazon
125. Sarah Mäkelä: Digital copy of Captive Moonlight
126. Cassidy McKay: $10 Amazon or B&N GC & Choice off backlist
127. Gabrielle Bisset: Gift card
128. Norma Nielson: Amazon GC
129. Taryn: kindle book giveaway
130. Wynter Daniels: Ebook download – Burning Touch
131. Rhian Cahill: Winner’s choice of two backlist or $10GC for bookstore of choice
132. Tory Michaels: Free copy of  Blood Rage
133. Suzzana C. Ryan: 2 ebooks
134. Carly Fall: One ebook copy of each of my three books
135. Sandra Bunino: 2-$10 gift certificates to Amazon or B&N
136. Ella Jade YA: A copy of my YA (ages 18-24) Novel Jocelyn’s Choice
137. Suzanne Barrett: An e-book of An Irish Rogue, plus handmade (by me) earrings
138. Ruth J Hartman: Reader’s Choice of any of my romances in ebook form
139. Amy Romine: 3 free ebooks
140. Allison Merritt: Copy of The Treasure Hunter’s Lady
141. Elise Mairon: $5 Amazon gift card 1 copy of one of my ebooks
142. Ayla Ruse: [Unknown]
143. Anne Holly: 1 ebook in Kindle or PDF – winner’s choice
144. Blair McDowell: 2 copies of The Memory of Roses
145. Malia Mallory: Free ebook of new release
146. Ambrielle Kirk: [Unknown]
147. Diane Alberts: a backlist copy of one of my e-books
148. Darcia Helle: 1 signed print copy  and 5 ebooks copies of any of my 8 titles
149. Dianne Hartsock: An ebook of any story in my ‘Shelton’ series
150. Jennifer Lynne: $10 Amazon Gift Card
151. Elyzabeth M. VaLey: [Unknown]
152. Heather Thurmeier: $10 Amazon.com Gift Card
153. Tarah Scott: Digital copy of The Pendulum
154. T.C. Archer: Digital copy of For His Eyes Only
155. Joyce Cortes McGuire: $50 Amazon Gift Card
156. Myne Whitman: 2 eBook copies each of A Heart to Mend and A Love Rekindled
157. Cammie Eicher:  e-book package of Shadow Ancient
158. Sandy Sullivan: Print of Love Me Once, Love Me Twice & Before The Night Is Over
159. Kay Springsteen: [Unknown]
160. Cynthia Arsuaga: Necklace and PDF of A Vampire in Paris
161. Jena Jaxon: Copies of two of my books and swag
162. Kristabel Reed: copy of  The Masque & 2 $10 GCs to B&N or Amazon
163. K.E. Saxon: $25 Amazon GC
164. Brenna Zinn: Copy of Mi Toro
165. Lyda Frazier: $20 Gift Card
166. Karenna Colcroft: Winners choice off backlist
167. Raven McAllan: A copy of Taken Identity
168. Nichelle Gregory: Ebook copy of As You Desire
169. BA Tortuga: Pamper yourself Gift Basket
170. Lissa Matthews: Ecopy of Twisted Up
171. Ren Thompson: $25 GC
172. Wendi Zwaduk: Winners choice off backlist
173. Megan Slayer: $5 GC to Changeling Press
174. Stephanie Danielson: Winner’s choice off backlist
175. Linda Nightingale: Faux pearl necklace
176. Bianca Swan: Copy of Hot Spanish Nights
177. Judith Leger: Copy of Dragon Wish
178. Naughty Edition Reviews: Chocolate,ebook, bubble bath, & candles
179. R. Renee Vickers: promotional copy of  Sly’s Surrender.
180. Mia Natasha: Ecopy of Ghost’s Chance
181. M.S. Spencer: Choice off backlist
182. Dana Littlejohn: t-shirt and mug
183. Jaxx Steele: T-shirt and Mugs
184. B.A. Knight: Ecopy of Immortal Love
185. Cara Bristol: $10 GC to Amazon
186. Gemma Parkes: Ecopy of Master Me, Master You
187. Victoria Valentine: Desert Noon romance poetry book and $10 GC
188. Stephanie Beck: Valentines Grab Bag [US Only]
189. Beth D. Carter: Winners choice off backlist
190. Lizzie Star: $5 Amazon GC each day
191. Abby Hayes: Ecopy of Seeing Red
192. Kate Hill: A pdf download of Victory Stallion and Impassioned
193. Jocelyn Modo: 3 Kindle Copies of Revolution Lovers
194. Desiree Holt: Ecopy of Cupid’s Shift
195. Julia Devlin: Choice off backlist and $10 Amazon GC
196. Ellie Heller: 1-$10 Noble GC & 1-$10 Amazon GC
197. Alvania Scarborough: Choice off backlist and $10 B&N GC
198. Kelly L Lee: Ecopy of Murdering Eve
199. Nan Hawthorne: Ebook or print copy of An Involuntary King
200. L.M. Brown: ebook copy of the Gift of Love anthology.
201. Cerise DeLand: A Copy of Mia Dolce & Lady Featherstone’s Fervent Affair
202. Natasha Blackthorne: Choice of two Erotic Romance Novellas
203. Billi Jean: Copy of Silver’s Chance and a $10 CG for Noble Romance Publishing
204. Naomi Shaw: $10 Amazon GC
205. Lynn Crain: The whole Santa Elves series in ebook
206. Jana Downs: First three books of the Ravyn Warriors series in .pdf format
207. Ericka Scott: Silver Heart Pendant, signed copy of Once Upon a Midnight & chocolates
208. Jorja Lovett: e-book copy of Pyramid of Passion
209. Sable Hunter: Ebook of My Aliyah
210. Tamara Monteau: E-copy of Haven’s King
211. Natalie Baum: Ebook, body lotion, & $10 Amazon GC
212. Jianne Carlo: 3 eBooks – Valentine Voodoo and a Hallmark Gift Card
213. JL Oiler: E-copy of any backlist title
214. Jennifer Zane: E-Book of Gnome On The Range
215. Seawood Tice: ebook copy Live In Position
216. Sherry Gload: Several book marks. A pdf copy of The Wrong Target
217. West Thornhill: Copy of Transcend
218. Zathyn Priest: eBook of The Curtis Reincarnation
219. Breathless Press: 3 Winners – choice of book from our back list
220. Eden Glenn: E- ARC of Novellette “Raynia’s Magic”
221. Jessica Subject: Ebook copy of Never Gonna Let You Go
222. Barbara Robinson: PDF of ebook Southern Superstitions
223. Ann Jacobs: Sony Reader (Pocket Edition)
224. Layla Hunter: Ecopy of Skin Deep & a $10 GC to SCP
225. Sam Cheever: Giant box of chocolates and an autographed book
226. Blackraven’s Reviews: [Uknown]
227. Blackraven’s Erotic Cafe: [Uknown]
228. The Readers Roundtable After Dark: [Uknown]
229. Dark Diva Review: [Uknown]
230. AJ’s Reading Nook: [Uknown]
231. Jennifer Conner: 3 ebooks & Valentine basket, coffee & chocolate
232. Holley Trent: $5 Starbucks eGift Card
233. Tamara Monteau: Electronic copy of Haven’s King, Haven’s Realm 4
234. Day Dreaming: International e-book giveaway
235. SL Carpenter: 2- ebooks Owned & Remember When
236. Joan K Maze: [Unknown]
237. Melissa Keir: $10 Amazon Gift card and Swirled Glass necklace.
238. Ursula Whistler: $20 Amazon.com gift card
239. Rita Schulte: June Hunt book or The blessing by dr john trent
240. Chris Verstraete: Copy of ebook, THE KILLER VALETINE BALL
241. Kristyn Nichols: $10 Amazon GC
242. Charlie Cochran: A goodie bag of very English toiletries
243. Savannah Chase: Ebook copy of Unwrap Me
244. Nichelle Gregory:  Ebook copies of Lovin’ Leela or Hearts & Diamonds!
245. Wendy Siefkan: [Unknown]
246. Karen Mueller Bryson: Ebook off backlist
247. Close Encounters of the Night Kind: [Unknown]
248. Eliza Knight: Signed copy of Pirate’s Past
249. R.F. Ricks:  A copy of Foolish Endeavors
250. Regina Cole: An ebook copy of DEAR ADDI
251. JoAnne Kenrick: 1NS author swag
252. Charlie Cochet:  Ebook of When Love Walked In, $10 Amazon GC, & a bookmark!
253. K-Lee Klein: ebook copy of either Love & Patience or Theme of Hearts
254. Shannon Leigh: Handmade necklace
255. Jennie Andrus: ebook off backlist
256. Lani Rhea: $10 Amazon Gift Card& The Ark Hotel:Under Bonded Contract
257. Athanasios: 10 ecopies of Commitment
258. Katriena Knights: A copy of Ring of Darkness
259. Donna Steele: A ecopy of a book
260. Selah Janel: ebook ‘mooner’ and $10 Amazon GC
261. Zillah Anderson: $10 Amazon GC
262. Laura Harner: $15 ebook bucks from All Romance eBooks
263. Kimber An: ecopy of Drive-By Valentine

 This contest runs from February 11th – February 14th at midnight PST. At the end I will use random.org to pick a winner and post it on February 15th. Be sure to leave your email so that I may contact you with you win. Best of Luck and Happy Valentine's.

LOOK MA...NO HANDS

Decided to post something a little different.
Why?  Because I can.
It's been a busy, chaotic week and as usual I end up getting screwed over and not kissed first.
Life can be that way but at least some flowers or chocolate after being so rough would ease the pain.
I am a pretty lucky guy. I write sexy, fun, erotic stories and design book covers for some pretty big authors. At times I pinch myself which is silly because I look funny pinching myself on the butt.  
But we all have rough days and I was thinking about what a perfect day would be like.
Other than having Kate Beckinsale give e a full service body massage and oil treatment.

For me a perfect day would be sleeping in, breakfast in bed (waffles and bacon) some really hot sex, going back to sleep, waking up to a double roasted beef sandwich and a Dr Pepper, some more hot sex, watching some zombie movies, a big steak dinner with a baked potato and getting a shoulder massage while watching the game, some more really hot sex then sleeping for 12 hours.

Typical man. Food, Sex, Sleep and Sports.   The order may vary.

What would all of your perfect days be like?                                                            

A peek at A Taste for a Mate by Carrie Ann Ryan

Look what I got for you...

A special peek at A Taste for a Mate.

Chapter 1

The scent of cinnamon and sugar danced on the air as Willow Delton heaved opened the heavy oven door to remove her prized cinnamon rolls. The plump, buttery pastries were baked to perfection, and she set them on the counter to cool. The only thing missing was her thick and creamy frosting, but that would have to wait.

Willow stood back and stared around her commercial grade kitchen. She’d started her bakery from scratch, and it had grown into a successful, albeit small, business. Incredible, really. She’d never thought the day would arrive when she finally had a place to call her own. She was right where she wanted to be. Her favorite part of the day was being able to meet one-on-one with her customers. She loved the looks on their faces when they bit into her temptations, that look of ecstasy not seen on this side of the bedroom door that flashed across their eyes.

Of course, that particular look as the result of a man was long absent from Willow’s face. Too excruciatingly long.

She stood back and closed her eyes, conjuring the memory of her mystery man’s face. The image that filled her mind made her forget the lack of human contact. The thought of his deep, husky voice tickled her spine whenever he spoke. Green eyes caught her in his web with only a glance. She’d fallen for a stranger and didn’t even know his name. He’d come into her store every morning and ordered a cinnamon roll and coffee with only a few words. Then he ‘d pay cash before lifting up the corner of his mouth in a semblance of a smile and walking out of her store. Was it strange she worried he’d keep walking and never return?

A bell’s tinkle pulled Willow from her reverie and self-pity. As she turned to greet her customer, her heart leapt to her throat. Him. Her mysterious fantasy man. As she tried to regain her senses, she took all of him in. He had to be one of the tallest men she’d ever seen, easily over six and a half feet. The tight black T-shirt he wore hugged his biceps and cut into his muscular physique, while his broad shoulders stretched and strained the seams. His body tapered down to a narrow waist and hips as they met his thighs. His long legs she wanted to grip, encased in worn jeans lead to work boots. Hmm, construction perhaps? She glanced back up his body to his striking face.

He wasn’t beautiful, but he did have a face most women would dream about. A strong jaw and cheekbones gave him an aura of strength, the kind of strength that would be protective. His hair was midnight black and long enough to brush his shoulders, however, today, a band held it back, showcasing his face more. He studied her, his green eyes calm and calculating. Willow let out a surprised gasp at the sexual heat radiating from him. Could she possibly be imagining things?

****

Jasper Jamenson fought himself as he walked into the bakery that morning. This would be the seventh week in a row he’d come here, every day but Sunday. And that was only because the damn store was closed. As good as the cinnamon rolls were, and they were little tastes of heaven, it was the woman behind the counter that brought him there every morning.

Following a particularly bad night in the forest on a hunt, Jasper had been pissed and hungry. Another wolf had tried to play a dominant game, forcing Jasper to hurt him. The stench of the other’s defeat had remained on him, only angering Jasper that much more. The scent of the morning’s freshly baked goods pulled him through the quaint and welcoming door, and the slender goddess who served him brought thoughts of a different form of servicing to mind.

Slightly above average in height – he would guess about five foot seven – she was the perfect height to settle against his body. For someone who owned and operated a bakery, she was as skinny as a rail. However, if he looked close enough he could see the telltale signs possible of curves. And with just a little bit of his help and pampering she would gain some well-needed cushion. No matter what, she’d look amazing underneath him. Her long, light brown hair curled in a bun on the top of her head. His fingers ached to pull out the pins and watch it tumble down her back. Hazel eyes sought him and begged for his protection. Damn, he was willing.

Her look made the wolf within him perk up and growl.

“Mate? I want her”. His wolf paced beneath the surface of his skin, calculating the best way to quickly claim their mate.

What his wolf spoke of was a possibility. There were only a few women in the world through time that carried the scent to signal the potential mating. Unlike his brother Kade, who had met two women recently that carried the scent, Jasper had never in his one-hundred and three years come across a woman who brought forth the mating urge. However, if all encounters were like this one, Jasper didn’t know how others walked away. The urge rode him hard and he fought his wolf for control if only for a moment, something that hadn’t happened since he was a pup.

He mentally spoke to his wolf. “We are not ready for a mate. And a human no less. She knows nothing of us. If, and that is a big if, we chose her to be our mate, we will have to go slowly into this. I don’t want us to scare her. But she is beautiful, no”

His wolf growled in response.

“Do you want to scare her away? Let’s get to know her first, see if she is a good match, other than that incredible cinnamon scent. I’ll talk to Adam and find out everything I can about her. I am the Beta; I cannot put my Pack in jeopardy.”

God, he really sucked at this. This time he needed to put on his big wolf panties and actually ask her out.

“Then we could mark her.”

He snorted at his wolf. Yeah, that was taking it slow.

Jasper shook himself from his inner thoughts and looked into those hazel eyes. The spot of flour on her cheek begged for his hand to brush it way. He fought the urge. No need to freak her out. Her chest moved slowly, her small breasts rising and falling. The cinnamon scent of her filled his nostrils and he took a deep breath, the aroma going straight to his cock. The slight gasp that escaped from her kissable lips almost broke his control, and he fisted his hands to regain it.

“Good morning.” His voice lowered an octave and became a growl. He cleared his throat and started again. “I come here every morning and I don’t think I ever gave you my name. Let me rectify that.” He closed the distance between them so only the counter separated them. “I’m Jasper Jamenson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hand in hopes of touching her skin.

Willow blinked up at him and seemed at a loss for words. Her lips opened slightly, begging him to lean down and taste her.

“Uh… yeah… I’m Willow Delton.” She shook her head, gave him a small smile and placed her slender hand in his. He’d been right – her skin was incredibly soft and made him want to take a bite.

“Yes, I know, you own this place.” He gave her hand a squeeze and released her.

“So, Jasper, do you want your usual?” The sound of his name on her lips hardened his cock. Without waiting for him to respond, she turned back to her work-table to ice her cinnamon rolls.

“Sounds good.” He watched as her hands moved swiftly and confidently across the baking sheets. “What time do you get off?”

“Smooth, Romeo. Why don’t you just ask her to bend over the work table for you?”

Ignoring his wolf Jasper continued, “I thought that we could grab a bite to eat tonight and go see to the arts fest they have running in town.”

Oh dear Lord. Why didn’t he ease into this?

“Oh, are you asking me out on a date?” She wrinkled her brow and looked utterly confused at the prospect.

“Yes, I am. I’ve been in here for over a month every morning, and as much as I love your food, I had an ulterior motive.”

Surprise flashed across her face before her eyes lit up with excitement. “I’ve never been to the arts fest in town. I didn’t want to go by myself and didn’t have anyone to go with me.” Her mouth snapped shut at her revealing statement.

Laughing quietly, he shook his head. “So what time do you get off?”

“You really need to stop putting it like that; it gives me ideas.” Again, he ignored his wolf’s sarcasm.

“I close at four and should be done cleaning up by five. It’s only me here today so it’s going to take me an hour to close.”

“What do you say I come back at six and we go to dinner from here?”

Her smile almost blinded him as she nodded before taking off her apron. “Okay. Sounds good. Here’s your breakfast.” She handed him his black coffee and a small brown bag with a pink logo.

Taking everything from her hands, he set them down along with the cash to pay for it. Giving into temptation he leaned over the counter to brush the flour from her cheek.

She jumped and a flash of alarm raced across her face.

Chuckling under his breath, he reassured her. “Just some flour. I’ll see you at six, Willow.” He grabbed his breakfast and walked to the door, taking one last look behind him at the woman who was his mate. He was one lucky bastard.

Whistling a jaunty tune, he walked toward his Jeep, unconcerned and happy while leaving his mate to do her work. The hairs on the back of his neck lifted, and his wolf came to attention. The street was empty but for a few people; nothing looked out of place. Jasper took a deep breath but didn’t detect another presence. With one last look toward his slender brunette, he shrugged off the uneasy feeling and continued to his Jeep.

BUY IT HERE: AMAZON and B&N