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Category: Erotica/Erotic Romance/Romance
Description: A scandal shy woman and a secret admirer... Lauren DeSerre is widowed, independent, and most importantly, values respectability. It was bad enough that her affair with the notorious Duke of Bellingham ever came to light, but when her rakish former lover reveals his younger brother has a penchant for her, she cannot believe she is the least bit tempted. One taste of scandal was more than enough. However, Christian is just the opposite of the devilish duke, and his interest unexpectedly intrigues her. Christian Foster harbors a hidden passion. He knows he isn't in the least like his charming older sibling, especially when it comes to women, but it doesn't stop him from having a fantasy or two about the captivating woman he just can't get out of his mind. When he discovers he has an opportunity to spend a clandestine evening with the luscious Lauren DeSerre, he can't help but accept. After all, it might be his only chance to prove to her that when you couple love with physical attraction, the combination can be combustible...[Historical: Contains graphic sexual content and adult language.]
eBook Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc./Erotic Romance, 2008 2008
eBookwise Release Date: June 2008

133 Reader Ratings:

Great	Good	OK	Poor

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [140 KB]
Words: 27386
Reading time: 78-109 min.

"5 Angels: Initiating Christian is a delightfully sinful story. I was drawn in immediately to the story. This is not your typical erotic romance, it has a great twist and has the reader rooting for the outcome. Christian is quietly sexy. He is a unique character, not the usual run of the mill hero. He's initially unsure and shy but blossoms under Lauren's touch. Lauren is gracious and beautiful. Her character is very interesting and I found the interaction between her and Christian undeniably refreshing. The sexual encounters are amazing. Ms. Wildes never disappoints and as always, I look forward to more wonderful stories by this talented author."--Dawnie, Fallen Angel Reviews

"5 Stars: This book differs from the rest of the series in that the story is unfolding as we read it, rather than being recounted for the enjoyment of the Brothers of the Absinthe Club. It is also the sweetest of all the stand-alone offerings in the series. I fell in love with Christian who is almost too perfect, tall, gloriously handsome, very wealthy, completely in love, and a romantic to the depths of his very soul. Lauren is chaste despite having had one lover and is only convinced to spend the night with him when she learns Christian has been anonymously sending her flowers for months. She is gentle and very in love, but worried about the age difference. Adam's wife is insecure after giving birth, worried that Adam was not able to endure the enforced celibacy caused by the difficulties of pregnancy. She fears Adam is having an affair with Lauren and sets out to catch him in the act. The result is quite a surprise for all of them. The sex between Christian and Lauren is very hot since she is teaching Christian all the tricks she learned from his very experienced brother. The ending as well as the rest of the story is delightful. This is one I'll be reading over and over."--Karen Haas, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

"5 Cherries: I was amazed with the depth of story and character in so few pages. The characters are well developed and very likable. With Christian's brother Adam having such a strong part in the story, I was afraid Christian would be overshadowed or seen as an inferior character. This was far from the case. Ms. Wildes portrays Adam as a virile and strong man, but it is clear he is a supporting character and Christian stands in no ones shadow. Christian is the man in control and Lauren is more than worthy to take him on. Together, they took my breath away. The pace was spot on. There was more than enough description to allow you to see the scene and characters well. Ms. Wildes rounds out the story with interesting supporting characters. I even laughed out loud with one scene involving Christian's sister-in-law. The plot was simple and straightforward, with nothing cheesy about it. There were no villains or villainous moments, but the story didn't lack for substance. There was one main conflict threaded throughout the story and it is solved quite nicely. To be honest, this is a sweet story told in a spicy way. For me, I would like to see more of these and I will definitely look for more books (of all length) by this author."--Gardenia, Whipped Cream

The townhouse was fashionably elegant, but on a quiet street, and the place had the air of being unoccupied.

Except for that small yellow glow that indicated someone was there.

Shaking his head, Christian climbed the steps and tried the key. It worked perfectly, the latch clicking open neatly, and the door swung open on well-oiled hinges. Inside, the place smelled slightly musty, as if it was unlived in, and he stepped into the foyer.

"Hello?"

His voice echoed a little and he cleared his throat and tried again. "Hello?"

Nothing.

Bloody Adam, Christian thought irritably. If his older brother thought this was funny...

"Christian?"

He froze. The voice was light, melodic, and unmistakably female, and it came from behind him. Whirling around, he saw that a woman stood framed in the doorway. The evening was warm and she wore her wrap only loosely around her slender shapely shoulders. Her gown was low-cut and elegant, and her lustrous blond hair caught in a loose chignon at her nape. Dark blue eyes framed by lush lashes gazed at him, and as he watched in utter astonishment, she stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind her.

"I see we arrived about the same time. That's convenient, I suppose."

His mind was a blank. Lauren DeSerre appearing out of nowhere was such a shock he literally had no voice.

When he didn't speak, her smooth brow furrowed slightly. "Adam rather assured me you would be happy to see me here. If that isn't the case..."

Cognizant thought returned, and with it at least a sense of politeness. "Of course, I am delighted to see you," he stammered, sounding to his own ears like an idiot. He swallowed and said more calmly, "Forgive me. All my brother did was hand me a card with this address on it. When I arrived to find an empty house, I wondered if Adam had decided to play a joke on me." He paused, gazing at her and taking in her stunning beauty. "I confess I'm still not certain that isn't the case," he added quietly. "Why are you here?"

She blushed then, color rising becomingly to her cheeks. "He didn't tell you?"

Christian shook his head. God, she is so beautiful ... those eyes, slightly almond shaped and gorgeous, and her skin, so smooth like ivory, and that body...

"I'm told it's your birthday."

What that had to with anything he wasn't sure, but he was truthfully too off balance by her arrival to think quite clearly. "Yes, it is," he admitted, well-aware she probably still viewed him as a boy, and not a man.

Lauren smiled then, a small enticing curve of her soft mouth that made his pulse increase the pace. "I thought we might celebrate it together here tonight."

Of all the things he expected her to say, that was the last. Speechless again, he just stood there, telling himself he must have a fever and be hallucinating. Maybe he was asleep, and this was a fantastical dream...

"Upstairs," she added simply.

Upstairs. Where there are bedrooms.

"You aren't serious." He didn't even sound remotely like himself and he cleared his throat. Hastily, he amended, "I mean, I hope you are, but I can't quite believe this."

She moved for the first time, taking a slow step toward him. "I take it the idea appeals to you?"

He might be young, but he caught the sense of her female power and her awareness of it. Catching the faint fragrance of her perfume drift in the air, he nodded. "Yes."

It was embarrassing, but he already was well on his way to having a full-blown erection. That fast, just from a few suggestive words and a whiff of her signature scent.

"I know about the flowers you have been sending me." Her tone was soft. "Your notes were very ... endearing. Thank you."

"You are welcome, of course." If Adam hadn't apparently arranged this, Christian would want to kill him for telling her.

"Your brother owns this house as an investment of some sort," she said, glancing down the darkened hallway. "It's unoccupied at the moment, but he did send someone to prepare one of the bedrooms." She smiled almost mischievously. "I certainly hope there's champagne so we can toast your special day."

Christian didn't give a damn about his birthday. He just hoped he wouldn't wake up from this particular fantasy. She gazed up at him expectantly and he automatically offered his arm, something he'd done hundreds of times when escorting ladies various places, but the light clasp of Lauren's fingers sent heat spiking through his body.

His cock stiffened further.

There was a set of stairs at the end of the hallway, and at the top, he discovered the source of the light came from a well-lit and spacious bedroom. The bed was made up in satin sheets and an embroidered coverlet already neatly turned back in invitation for occupation. There was not only champagne in a bucket of cool water, but also chocolates, and some fresh strawberries, almost impossible to obtain this time of year, in a small silver bowl. It was a nice gesture, as Adam knew he particularly favored strawberries, but how his brother thought any kind of food would matter when Lauren DeSerre apparently wanted to spend the night with him was a mystery.