Click on image to enlarge.

Category: Erotica/Erotic Romance
Description: Guilty pleasures can heat the coldest winter nightâ?¦ A Red Hot Winter story. There's never been any question in Rachel Ashberg's mind. Jackson Brooks is the one, and they both know it. The problem? Thanks to his unbreakable rule--never date his twin sister's friends--he's completely off-limits. Even if they can't imagine being with anyone else. It's been over two years since their last encounter, when they gave in--just once--to their passion. Now, as the Brooks twins' milestone birthday approaches, Rachel and Jackson are about to meet again at a gorgeous mountain resort. Needing something to take the edge off the desire that has never faded, she indulges in a fling with sexy stranger Garreth Halt. He even makes her forget Jackson for a while. Orâ?¦maybe not. When she mentions Jackson's name in passing, Garreth picks up on all the hidden undertones in her voice. And he brings Jackson into their bed, if only in a fantasy they play out together. Funny thing about Garreth's fantasies, though. Even the most improbable, impossible ones have a way of becoming realityâ?¦ Warning: Enough heat is contained within these pages that you won't even notice the winter cold. You might fall in love with Jackson--the real-life hero, determined to protect his sister from further pain--but it's the handsome stranger, Garreth, who'll take your breath away.
eBook Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd., 2011
eBookwise Release Date: January 2011

8 Reader Ratings:

Great	Good	OK	Poor

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [147 KB]
Words: 31642
Reading time: 90-126 min.

Chapter One

Heat radiated from the stone fireplace, warming the room. The temperature in the cozy, modern hotel lounge was a welcome contrast to the frigid wind outside. Mesmerized, Rachel Ashberg stared into the flames, watching as they danced around the logs, consuming the wood with hungry licks.

She sipped the last of her wine, relishing the tranquility that settled over her. Tomorrow that peace would be stripped away like old paint.

It had been a good idea to drive up to the Blue Mountains from Sydney a day early. The ninety-minute car trip through winding roads and national parkland had given her a chance to decompress a little. Twenty-four hours of rest and relaxation, away from the stress of work and failed relationships, was proving to be a much-needed tonic. Plus, she was building up her energy reserves for the weekend. She was going to need them.

The walk down to Wentworth Falls earlier had helped too. All that crisp, wintry air, lush eucalyptus forest, calming birdsong and getting back to nature had either cleared her mind of any remaining despondency or frozen her brain and heart enough that those issues no longer worried her. So what if things hadn't worked out with Paul? She'd known from the beginning he wasn't the right guy for her, but she'd tried anyway.

Just like she'd tried with James and Ethan and a whole host of other men who hadn't quite cut it. Hell, none of them were the right guy.

How could they be, when she'd already met the right guy--and he was the one man she couldn't be with? Of course, fate dictated he was also the man she was about to spend two days and two nights with, in a romantic boutique hotel.

He, his sister and ten of their closest friends.

God, it was going to be hell. Torture to the nth degree. How would she ever make it through to Monday?

Rachel shook her head, chastising herself for her negativity.

She would make it through to Monday. Her strength and her resistance had been fortified today, and she'd be fine. The weekend would pass without her once pining for Jackson Brooks. Without accidentally brushing up against him. Without sneaking outside in the blistering cold to steal secret kisses as they once had.

Rachel fidgeted with the cover of her book, considered opening it, but in the end just wasn't in the mood for reading.

"Mind if I join you?"

The question registered, but Rachel didn't respond. Since she was here alone, whoever had spoken must have addressed someone else. Pity. The voice held appeal. It was a deep rumble, smooth as old scotch. And accented. American?

She smiled to herself. Her relationship skills may be shot to hell, but her body still worked just fine. It didn't matter that yet another relationship had failed as a result of her feelings for Jackson. Her sex drive obviously hadn't suffered for it.