But then Gretchen peered over her shoulder, his beautiful, sexy girl, with eyes full of love. He knew then that this was no dream. He could’ve never dreamed up this version of her. He wouldn’t have let himself imagine that he’d ever be this lucky.
He slid his hands to her hips, lifting her to him and kissed along the notches of her spine. “I want to do really dirty things to you, cher.”
“And I want to let you.”
He reached around to stroke his fingers over her heat and groaned at the slippery feel of her arousal. So. Damn. Sexy. “I love that you’re this hot for me already.”
“You seem to have that effect on me,” she said, her words getting a little choppy as he explored.
He eased his fingers inside her, slow, purposeful. “Would you get this way when we had our coffee dates?”
She tilted into his touch, hungry for it. “God, yes. I couldn’t get home fast enough afterward.”
“Mmm.” Visions of Gretchen going home after one of their talks, stretching out on her sheets, and touching herself with thoughts of him had any remaining blood in his head rushing south. “Guess I owe you for all that teasing.”
He coasted his fingertip over her hot button and enjoyed the ensuing moan.
“Yes, so much,” she said between breaths. “So much debt to pay off.”
He grabbed the condom he’d tossed on the bed after binding her, but Gretchen must’ve recognized the sound of the package opening.
“I’m on the pill. You don’t have to unless you want to.”
He paused, caught off guard. He’d never had sex without a condom, had never dated anyone long enough to get to that monogamous point. But the thought of being inside Gretchen with no barrier, of being skin to skin. He closed his eyes and breathed through the blinding rush of need.
He tossed the condom to the side and positioned himself behind her. She angled back, the hot clasp of her body teasing the head of his cock. Holy. Christ. His hand tightened on her. “Fuuuuck.”
“Yes, that. Let’s do that.”
He laughed, though it came out a little strangled, and rocked forward, giving them what they both were desperate for. She took him fully inside her body and the feel of her heat wrapping around him was like nothing he’d ever experienced. Perfect transcendent pleasure. Everything in his world seemed to shift into place all at once. They were joined—body and soul.
He’d waited his whole life for this. For her.
The island knows what you need.
Indeed, it did. And maybe it was still in a giving mood because time seemed to grind to a crawl in that room as they made love, the hours going on and on for the two of them. Their bodies didn’t tire, their pleasure didn’t wane, and their stamina seemed unending. As soon as they’d reach a peak, they’d find another around the bend. The island was giving them back some of their lost time.
And as the sun rose high outside the windowless room, Gretchen came for a final time with a shout, her body bowing up and his name falling from her lips. He closed his eyes, holding back his own orgasm a little longer, to revel in the ecstasy of hers.
“Burke, Burke, Burke.”
He’d never heard his name sound so good.
This was Gretchen untethered. Not the Gretchen who had forgotten the past. Not Gretchen in denial. This was Gretchen who loved him back despite it all. Because of it.
This was Gretchen free.
And this was him in love.
He’d never let her go again.
Epilogue
~Gretchen~
I shouldn’t be up this late, but I was too close to being done. I put one last stroke of orange on the painting that’d been inspired by our honeymoon in Brazil last week. I stood back to see if I’d properly caught the way the sunset hit the colorful row of buildings and the face of the man who’d been leaning against one of the doors. My attention flicked back and forth between the canvas and the photograph I’d taken of the scene. The man wasn’t in the photograph. No camera would’ve been able to catch what I’d seen, but his face was emblazoned in my mind.
“Hey, my little painting insomniac.” Hands landed on my shoulders from behind. “Can’t sleep or have you taken up sleepwalking again?”
“Nope, fully conscious, just wanted to get this done.” I put my hand over his. “Did I wake you?”
“Nah, the barking dog next door had that privilege.” Burke kissed the top of my head and looped his arms around my waist. “That painting’s gorgeous, cher. Even more beautiful than it was in person.”
I set my brush down and turned in Burke’s arms. “Thanks.”
He squinted and leaned a little closer to the painting, his expression changing. “Is that?”
“Yeah,” I said quietly.
He looked back to me, concern there. “Everything okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Everything’s good.”
He glanced at the painting again. “You just wanted to paint him?”
The fact that Burke seemed to have no issue with that warmed my heart. It also gave me the courage to be honest about why I’d put Harris in the piece. “No, I’m painting it as I saw it. He was there that day.”
Burke’s focus returned to me, the concern lingering. “I thought on the island…I thought he said good-bye.”
I exhaled. “Gran told me that even when souls know they’ll be happier on the other side, that the in between is no place to linger, it’s still hard to let go. Harris and I made our peace with each other on Eden, but I think he needed to see things for himself. You and me.”
Frown lines appeared around his mouth.
“I started taking photos of the buildings and then there he was. I don’t think he realized I could see him at first.”
“God, cher, you should’ve told me. That must’ve been hard for you. Did he say anything?”
“He didn’t get the chance. As soon as I realized he was there, you came out of the shop you’d been in, the one where you bought me that ridiculous hat. You plopped the hat on my head, picked me up off my feet, and kissed me. I didn’t have time to say anything.”
“Oh, Gretch.”
“When I looked back, he was still there, just like this. And then he was gone.”
Burke released me and stepped in front of the painting to study the little details. I knew what he’d see. Harris’s lips were curved in the hint of a wistful smile and his hand was raised.
Burke cleared his throat. “Is he…”
I put my chin on his shoulder. “Saying good-bye? Yeah, I think so.”
He let out a breath. “He’s wearing the ball cap I gave him. The one I’d sent as a joke when the Saints beat his beloved Giants.”
I smiled. “When he got that in the mail, he’d laughed so hard about it, especially the embroidered inscription on the back that said #1 Fan. I remember him saying, Well played, bro. He wore it more often than he would’ve ever admitted to you.”
Burke’s head lowered between his shoulders and he put a hand over his eyes. “Christ, Harris.”
I held Burke from behind, feeling the bounce of his shoulders and letting him have his grief. “I think that was his way of telling us both that he’s okay now. That we’re all okay. That he wishes us well.” I took a deep breath. “I can’t…I can’t feel him anymore.”
Since we’d gotten back from Eden, I’d had moments where I sensed him when I was alone. He’d never shown himself or talked to me, but I’d known that when I’d said good-bye on the island, he hadn’t done the same. But now there was a noticeable gap in the energy around me. I couldn’t feel him anymore. He was gone for good to wherever we went after this life.
He was finally at peace.
And so was I.
I took Burke by the hand and led him back to bed. Without a word, we crawled under the covers, and he curved his arms around me. I laid my head on his chest and closed my eyes. “Forever, Burke Brennan.”
“Forever, my love.”
I fell asleep without any worries of sleepwal
king.
I had nowhere else I wanted to be.
I was home.
THE END
Dear Reader,
Thanks so much for reading Blurring the Lines! I hope you enjoyed your trip to the island of Eden. I’ve always loved ghost stories, but I’ve never had the chance to write one. So I was excited to take part in this multi-author series and pen a different kind of story than what I normally write (contemporary erotic romance). I appreciate you checking it out!
Read on to find out more about the books in the Invitation to Eden series and for an excerpt from my upcoming Loving on the Edge book, Not Until You. Plus, an exclusive sneak peek of Nothing Between Us!
Happy reading!
Roni
Other Titles in the Invitation to Eden Series
Enjoyed your trip to Eden?
Make sure to check out the rest of Invitation to Eden series. Sign up for our mailing list to receive new release alerts!
For more information about the island of Eden, check out our website!
March
Master of the Island by Lauren Hawkeye
April
Random Acts of Fantasy by Julia Kent
Yours Truly, Taddy by Avery Aster
Escape From Reality by Adriana Hunter
May
Hydrotherapy by Suzanne Rock
Fight For Me by Sharon Page
His Fair Lady by Marian Tee
June
Breaking Free by Cathryn Fox
Hold Me Close by Eliza Gayle
Queen’s Knight by Sara Fawkes
July
How To Tempt A Tycoon by Daire St. Denis
Dare to Surrender by Carly Phillips
The Capture by Erika Wilde
August
Rough Draft by Mari Carr
Blurring The Lines by Roni Loren
Return to Sender by Steena Holmes
September
Pleasure Point by Eden Bradley
Wild Ride by Opal Carew
Master of Pleasure by Lauren Hawkeye
October
Her Desert Heart by Delilah Devlin
Ivy in Bloom by Vivi Anna writing as Tawny Stokes
Thorne of a Rose by Kimberly Kaye Terry
November
Falling or Flying by R.G. Alexander
Elusive Hero by Joey W. Hill
Captive of Desire by Sarah Castille
December
Delicious and Deadly by C.C. MacKenzie
Pleasure Games by Jessica Clare
The Last Seduction by Jennifer Probst
Invitations to Eden’s other August releases
Rough Draft by Mari Carr (Big Easy, Book 4)
Capture, bondage and fantasies fulfilled. It’s all fun and games until someone gets killed. Bestselling crime novelist Jett Lewis is stumbling over a wicked case of writer’s block, his fast-flowing words having run dry. His publisher’s screaming “deadline”, the fans are ready to riot, and Jett just wants to disappear. His friend Carissa suggests he get away, clear his head…get laid. And she has just the ticket. Literally. Two passes to Eden, an exclusive island paradise. Recently sans girlfriend, Jett convinces Carissa to go with him, and the resort is more than either of them bargained for—especially when the simple beach trip turns to murder. Thrust into a plot sinister enough to rival Jett’s books, the couple embarks on a search for the killer. The most shocking revelation of all might be their mutual attraction…and how much Jett and Carissa love working undercover.
Return to Sender by Steena Holmes (Return to Sender trilogy, Book 1)
Lauren Summers leads a life of routine, rules and lists. She doesn’t have time for romance or excitement and certainly not for mysterious invitations that tempt her to break all her own rules. The only solution? Return it. It wasn’t mean for her anyways. But while she’s determined to rid herself of temptation, someone from her past has other ideas…
WARNING: This is a SWEET ROMANCE novella full of love, laughter, soul mates and chocolate. LOTS AND LOTS OF CHOCOLATE.
Read on for a sneak peek at Roni’s next book in her Loving on the Edge series,
NOT UNTIL YOU,
releasing November 4, 2014.
Sneak Peek: NOT UNTIL YOU
By Roni Loren
All Rights Reserved Berkley Publishing Group
Available November 4, 2014
Chapter 1
“Andre, this isn’t a good time. Can I call you back?”
I did my best not to let my cell phone slip from between my ear and shoulder. Just don’t drop the tequila. I adjusted the enormous bottle that my friend Bailey had given me as a graduation present from my right hand to beneath my left arm and tried to dig my keys out of my purse so I could open the main door to my apartment building.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to make it, Cela,” my older brother said, his guilt obviously trumping my request to call him later. “I got caught at an investigation site this morning. I thought I’d be able to get there in time, but we had a witness wanting to talk and . . .”
I cursed silently as my keys hit the pavement. I crouched down, doing my best not to flash my underwear to anyone who may be passing by. “Really, it’s fine. They called my name. I walked across the stage and got a piece of paper and a sash for being summa cum laude. Papá yelled my name like he was at a baseball game instead of a ceremony. Mamá cried. We all went to lunch at Rosario’s and then the two of them headed back to the airport. Not that interesting.”
My brother’s heavy sigh said everything. I almost felt guilty that he felt so guilty. “Before you move back home next month, we’re getting together to celebrate. My baby sister, the doctor. I’m so proud I could burst.”
I smiled. I did like the sound of that. Dr. Marcela Medina, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Seven years of exams and studying and clinics, but it was finally done. Now it was time to leave Dallas and head back home to Verde Pass and take up the slack in my dad’s practice.
That last part had my smile faltering a bit. I hooked my key ring with my finger and wobbled back to a stand. “That’s sounds great. But I really have to get going. I have my hands full and need to get through the door.”
“Cela, you know better than to carry too much. Parking lots at night are one of the most dangerous places for women. Are you holding your mace?” he asked, his voice going into that bossy cop tone I was all too familiar with.
“It’s in my hand,” I lied, trying to remember where I’d stowed the last little canister he’d given me—probably in my junk drawer. “But I don’t have a free hand to pull the door open.”
“All right,” he said, placated. “Congratulations again. I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
The call ended but I didn’t have a way to take the phone off my ear, so I just shuffled forward in a sideways hunch, trying to juggle everything I was holding to get my key into the door. After two attempts, I got the lock turned and pressed my back against the glass door to push my way into the lobby.
As soon as I’d cleared the entrance and turned toward the stairs, male voices sounded behind me. Of course someone would show up right after I didn’t need help anymore. I peeked back to see who it was, Andre’s danger warnings still echoing in my head, but found something more distracting than criminals—my neighbors, Foster and Pike.
Foster stepped through the main door first and glanced my way. As usual, everything went melty inside me, his smile like a zap of heat to my system. Ridiculous. “Need some help, neighbor?”
I straightened, but forgot about my phone in the process. My brand new iPhone went sliding off my shoulder.
“Crap!” I lurched forward, trying to save it from its imminent demise, and accidentally dropped my plastic bag of Chinese takeout on the way.
“Whoa, there.” Pike, Foster’s roommate, was at my side in a second. His hand caught my elbow, saving me from losing the ginormous bottle of liquor along with my balance. But my phone clattered to the ground, the harsh
sound mixing with the splat of my noodles hitting tile.
I winced, anticipating a broken screen. “Dammit.”
Foster bent down, his tie brushing the ground as he swept my phone off the floor. He peered at the screen, dark brows lowering over pale eyes, then he turned the phone toward me—the happy puppy screensaver staring back at me intact. “All is well. Luckily, these things are built to take a licking.”
My brain got snagged on the word lick, and the back of my neck went hot. My lips parted, but words failed me. Great, imitate a gaping goldfish—that’s cute.
Pike cleared his throat, easing the tequila from my arms, and then crouched down near the open bag at my feet. He grabbed a noodle from the spilled box of Chinese food, tipped his head back, and dropped the noodle into his mouth, his eyes watching mine. “The lo mein’s a loss, though.”
I swallowed hard, his gaze even more bad boy than the tattoos peeking out from his open collar. His pierced tongue snaked around the noodle. Look away. I forced my face upward, but then ended up focusing on Foster again. Say something. God, I was standing there like an idiot. This was why I always avoided these two like they were contagious. They made me go stupid.
Foster held out my phone, and I managed to take it, the slight brush of his fingers against mine hitting the Reset button in my brain. I managed a feeble, “Thank you.”
Foster glanced at the mess on the floor. “I’m really sorry I said anything. I didn’t mean to distract you from your intricate juggling act.”