Good morning, all! I have a new release to share with you this weekend. It's part of a back to school box set I've written with Renee Rose, Celeste Jones, Maggie Carpenter and Kate Richards. If you're looking for lots of sexy to start your school year with a bang, look no further! The book is now available on Amazon!
In my story, Michelle Johnson has had the worst year of her life. First, she's diagnosed with cancer and soon after she loses her long-term boyfriend, her job and her apartment. In remission, she's forced to move back to the small town she grew up in with the one person she can't stand--her father.
To make matters worse--if that's possible--the only job she can find is as a kindergarten teacher, teaching under the principal Joshua Black who not only happens to be stern, sexy and authoritative, but also is her old high school crush. Sparks fly between these two and Michelle learns the meaning of obedience bent over his desk!
I will be handing out not one, not two, but THREE copies of my new book to lucky commenters! I will be using the old pull out of a hat system. :) Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!
I had to set two alarms to get up on time the next morning, and even with that, I was still running behind. Story of my life.
“You got time for breakfast?”
“Can’t!” I called without regret. “I have an interview, remember?”
“Here, at least take some coffee.”
“Dad--”
“I’ve got it right here. Good luck, honey.”
I took the cup from him and hurried out the door. Once again, Dad had offered me his truck and I made a beeline for it. I drove as fast as I dared--cops around here meant business, a lesson I’d learned many times once I’d gotten my license--chugging coffee every time I hit a red light. When I peeled into the parking lot, I was relieved to see that I still had two minutes to make it to the principal’s office for our interview. Sure, I’d be a minute or so
late, but he would probably be in the middle of something himself, so it would work out.
I ran my fingers through my hair and gave my reflection a quick glance to make sure my mascara hadn’t smudged before I began to powerwalk across the parking lot. It wasn’t as easy as I’d expected, given that I was in heels. Lucy wouldn’t have had a problem with it, but she was more of a girly-girl than I was, too.
Why was the principal’s office on the third floor? I wondered as I arrived in front of his office, breathing heavily as sweat began to bead on my forehead. And of course this rinky-dink little town had yet to install an elevator.
To my surprise, the door opened immediately in response to my timid knock.
“Ms. Johnson, I presume?” he asked, a wry grin lifting the corners of his mouth.
I was frozen in my tracks and robbed speechless all at once. It was the same smooth, sexy voice from the day before, and oh. He was sex personified, with wavy brown hair that fell just below his ears, dark chocolate brown eyes and a smile that made my panties dampen. Oh.
“Please, come in.” If he noticed my love-struck stupor, he didn’t show it as he held the door open wide for me to enter. As soon as I’d crossed the threshold, he gestured for me to take a seat.
I did so, primly folding my hands in my lap and crossing my legs, feeling how my thighs trembled beneath my skirt. I peeked at him out of the corner of my eye and my breath hitched in my chest. He was wearing pressed khakis and an Oxford blue shirt that made his eyes seem even more like velvet. When he sat down, looking at me from across his desk, I cocked my head to the side. Something about him looked almost familiar.
“I’m very pleased to meet you, though I have to say, showing up late for an interview doesn’t make for a good first impression."
Something about the gentle reproof in his voice made it click into place. “Joshua Black?!” I exclaimed, seeing him with fresh eyes. The hair had grown out, sure, and the rest of him had filled out, too--quite nicely, I might add--but the same gorgeous eyes, the same heart-stopping smile.
“I prefer Principal Black, if you don’t mind,” he replied, giving me an odd look.
I threw my head back and laughed. “You don’t recognize me, do you?” For some reason, saying it aloud made me laugh harder. But of course he wouldn’t--he was Mr. Popular, Mr. Perfect, Mr. Senior that had no interest in a silly freshman girl hero-worshipping him; Particularly when that freshman had been me.
“You said your name was Michelle Johnson?” His brow furrowed slightly as he looked at me. “Wait--it couldn’t be Shelly, could it?”
I flushed, partly from the fact that he did indeed remember me, and partly because I was remembering some of the silly ploys I’d made for his attention all those years ago. One in particular stuck out: I’d been sick of being ignored, and knowing that the school year was almost out and he’d be moving on to college, I’d dressed up in the most provocative outfit I could buy. Of course, times had changed, but back then a backless, spaghetti-strap dress
worn for anything other than Prom got a raised eyebrow for the faculty. I’d worn thin, sexy black stockings and taken special care with my hair and makeup. I’d shaved my legs--and other parts; a girl had to be prepared, after all--painted my nails and even borrowed some of my mom’s perfume.
As I’d walked down the hall that morning, catcalls and whistles had followed me everywhere I went. I’d loved the attention--even the lewd looks and suggestive comments. I’d expected the same sort of reaction out of Josh--and indeed, he didn’t brush past me that morning. He’d taken one look at me and grabbed my wrist in an iron grip, pulling me down the hallway and under the stairs. My heart had pounded in a mixture of excitement and fear. This was what I’d always thought I wanted, but something about the way he was looking at me had me worried.
“What the hell do you think you’re wearing?” he’d asked, his voice calm despite the fire in his eyes.
“A dress,” I’d answered, smiling coyly and flipping my hair over my shoulder that I’d curled into big, soft waves.
“No kidding. I wonder if your mom knows what kind of dress you left the house in?”
I flushed hotly and felt a wave of shame mixed with bitter disappointment. “You don’t like it?”
He paused for a moment, considering me as tears welled in my eyes. He must have seen them, because he reached over and took my hand in his, wiping the lone tear that fell. “Shelly, listen to me. There are a few nice guys in this world, but there are plenty more waiting to take advantage of a sweet girl like you. You come in here wearing a dress like that and guess whose attention you’re going to get?”
My face flamed even hotter, more from the fact that he was touching me than what he was
saying.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Yes, Josh.”
“Good. Now, I want you to go to the bathroom and wash all that makeup off and call your mom to bring you some clothes that won’t get you mauled in the hallway.”
My eyes had widened as his words sank in. I’d snatched my hand from him and backed away. “You can’t tell me what to do!” I’d gasped, horrified at the idea of my mom knowing what I’d worn to school.
He’d studied me then, his eyes seeming to peer into the very depths of my soul. When he’d spoken again, his voice still had the same calm, but there was something else I couldn’t quite name. “You’ll do it, because you’re a good girl at heart, Shelly. But if you need any incentive, I could always put you over my knee first.”
My eyes had gone even rounder as I contemplated his words. Mutely, I shook my head and Josh stood up, dusting off the knees of his jeans before he left me alone behind the stairs. I’d sank to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest and feeling very sorry for myself. It looked like I’d done all that work for nothing.
For the first time since school began, I avoided Josh, turning the other way if I ever saw him in the hallway. He didn’t seek me out, either, though I was sure he knew I’d obeyed him and called my mom for a change of clothes. I’d been grounded for a week and I’d spent every day trying to hate him. I’d worked so hard and for what? For him to call me a little girl and tell me to change?
But I’d spent too much time loving him for it to dissipate, even as badly as I wanted it to. And out of our conversation, one thing kept coming back to me: he knew my name!
I looked across the desk at a very grownup Josh Black and wondered if he was remembering the incident too. If he was, his face gave no indication; his expression stayed neutrally blank.
“Well, how have you been, Shelly?”
“I go by Michelle now, actually.”
He looked me over before giving a nod. “It suits you. You’re all grown up.”
Why did that sound so wonderfully erotic on his lips? Did he mean it to, or was I just reaching, creating shreds of hope out of thin air like I always used to do in high school? Stay focused, I told myself. You’re here for a job interview, not to get stuck on an old crush. You’re too old for that stuff. “Thank you. And obviously you stayed here in Pike County and are the new principal.”
“Yes. It’s a challenging job, I’ll admit, especially with school starting in less than six weeks. It seems that I have a few vacancies to fill.”
Good job, I patted myself on the back. Now we’re back on the right track. “And here I was hoping for a cafeteria position,” I kidded.
He arched an eyebrow. “Were you now?”
“I look pretty sexy in a hairnet.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wished I could take them back. I was just joking around like I normally would with a friend, but considering our past, it made it feel pointed and awkward.
“I can see that,” he said, in a voice so low and seductive that every part of my body flushed. I could feel the heat between my thighs which made me shift uncomfortably in my chair. “Unfortunately, we don’t have any positions open for the cafeteria at the moment. We do, however, need to fill a slot for a kindergarten teacher for this school year.”
I tried unsuccessfully to hide my grimace.
“Is that a problem?”
Perhaps it was the fact that I’d been in such a frantic rush this morning and still felt harried , or the fact that I was sitting across from the guy I used to worship, who I’d spent practically all my teenage years fantasizing about, but I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I don’t really like children.”
For some reason, my admission and the blush that followed made him smirk. “Really? Then why did you apply to a school?”
“I mean, it’s not that I don’t like children, per-se. Just that they’re so loud...and messy...and, well...” I hung my head with a sigh. “I just really need a job.”
“I see. Well, I certainly appreciate your honesty.”
There it was, the death knell. I’d ruined everything because I never knew how to keep my mouth shut.
“Shall we begin the interview then?”
I raised my head slowly, certain that I must have misheard him. “I’m sorry?”
“The interview, Ms. Johnson?” he prompted, all business once more.
“Um...yes. Please.” I did my best to concentrate on the questions he asked me, but my mind kept wandering off every time I allowed myself to look too deeply into those warm brown eyes.
You have the chance to win one of the following grand prizes:
Rules
Follow the links to read the blogs–comment on the blog to prove you were there (or answer the participant’s specific question, if they have one). COPY AND PASTE COMMENTS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED! Each comment earns you one entry for the grand prize. You must provide your email address for your entry to count. Individual pages may also have their own form of entry (Rafflecopter, etc) for additional chances to win prizes. Enjoy all the free stories, posts, & fun! Prizes will be announced on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014.
In my story, Michelle Johnson has had the worst year of her life. First, she's diagnosed with cancer and soon after she loses her long-term boyfriend, her job and her apartment. In remission, she's forced to move back to the small town she grew up in with the one person she can't stand--her father.
To make matters worse--if that's possible--the only job she can find is as a kindergarten teacher, teaching under the principal Joshua Black who not only happens to be stern, sexy and authoritative, but also is her old high school crush. Sparks fly between these two and Michelle learns the meaning of obedience bent over his desk!
I will be handing out not one, not two, but THREE copies of my new book to lucky commenters! I will be using the old pull out of a hat system. :) Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!
I had to set two alarms to get up on time the next morning, and even with that, I was still running behind. Story of my life.
“You got time for breakfast?”
“Can’t!” I called without regret. “I have an interview, remember?”
“Here, at least take some coffee.”
“Dad--”
“I’ve got it right here. Good luck, honey.”
I took the cup from him and hurried out the door. Once again, Dad had offered me his truck and I made a beeline for it. I drove as fast as I dared--cops around here meant business, a lesson I’d learned many times once I’d gotten my license--chugging coffee every time I hit a red light. When I peeled into the parking lot, I was relieved to see that I still had two minutes to make it to the principal’s office for our interview. Sure, I’d be a minute or so
late, but he would probably be in the middle of something himself, so it would work out.
I ran my fingers through my hair and gave my reflection a quick glance to make sure my mascara hadn’t smudged before I began to powerwalk across the parking lot. It wasn’t as easy as I’d expected, given that I was in heels. Lucy wouldn’t have had a problem with it, but she was more of a girly-girl than I was, too.
Why was the principal’s office on the third floor? I wondered as I arrived in front of his office, breathing heavily as sweat began to bead on my forehead. And of course this rinky-dink little town had yet to install an elevator.
To my surprise, the door opened immediately in response to my timid knock.
“Ms. Johnson, I presume?” he asked, a wry grin lifting the corners of his mouth.
I was frozen in my tracks and robbed speechless all at once. It was the same smooth, sexy voice from the day before, and oh. He was sex personified, with wavy brown hair that fell just below his ears, dark chocolate brown eyes and a smile that made my panties dampen. Oh.
“Please, come in.” If he noticed my love-struck stupor, he didn’t show it as he held the door open wide for me to enter. As soon as I’d crossed the threshold, he gestured for me to take a seat.
I did so, primly folding my hands in my lap and crossing my legs, feeling how my thighs trembled beneath my skirt. I peeked at him out of the corner of my eye and my breath hitched in my chest. He was wearing pressed khakis and an Oxford blue shirt that made his eyes seem even more like velvet. When he sat down, looking at me from across his desk, I cocked my head to the side. Something about him looked almost familiar.
“I’m very pleased to meet you, though I have to say, showing up late for an interview doesn’t make for a good first impression."
Something about the gentle reproof in his voice made it click into place. “Joshua Black?!” I exclaimed, seeing him with fresh eyes. The hair had grown out, sure, and the rest of him had filled out, too--quite nicely, I might add--but the same gorgeous eyes, the same heart-stopping smile.
“I prefer Principal Black, if you don’t mind,” he replied, giving me an odd look.
I threw my head back and laughed. “You don’t recognize me, do you?” For some reason, saying it aloud made me laugh harder. But of course he wouldn’t--he was Mr. Popular, Mr. Perfect, Mr. Senior that had no interest in a silly freshman girl hero-worshipping him; Particularly when that freshman had been me.
“You said your name was Michelle Johnson?” His brow furrowed slightly as he looked at me. “Wait--it couldn’t be Shelly, could it?”
I flushed, partly from the fact that he did indeed remember me, and partly because I was remembering some of the silly ploys I’d made for his attention all those years ago. One in particular stuck out: I’d been sick of being ignored, and knowing that the school year was almost out and he’d be moving on to college, I’d dressed up in the most provocative outfit I could buy. Of course, times had changed, but back then a backless, spaghetti-strap dress
worn for anything other than Prom got a raised eyebrow for the faculty. I’d worn thin, sexy black stockings and taken special care with my hair and makeup. I’d shaved my legs--and other parts; a girl had to be prepared, after all--painted my nails and even borrowed some of my mom’s perfume.
As I’d walked down the hall that morning, catcalls and whistles had followed me everywhere I went. I’d loved the attention--even the lewd looks and suggestive comments. I’d expected the same sort of reaction out of Josh--and indeed, he didn’t brush past me that morning. He’d taken one look at me and grabbed my wrist in an iron grip, pulling me down the hallway and under the stairs. My heart had pounded in a mixture of excitement and fear. This was what I’d always thought I wanted, but something about the way he was looking at me had me worried.
“What the hell do you think you’re wearing?” he’d asked, his voice calm despite the fire in his eyes.
“A dress,” I’d answered, smiling coyly and flipping my hair over my shoulder that I’d curled into big, soft waves.
“No kidding. I wonder if your mom knows what kind of dress you left the house in?”
I flushed hotly and felt a wave of shame mixed with bitter disappointment. “You don’t like it?”
He paused for a moment, considering me as tears welled in my eyes. He must have seen them, because he reached over and took my hand in his, wiping the lone tear that fell. “Shelly, listen to me. There are a few nice guys in this world, but there are plenty more waiting to take advantage of a sweet girl like you. You come in here wearing a dress like that and guess whose attention you’re going to get?”
My face flamed even hotter, more from the fact that he was touching me than what he was
saying.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Yes, Josh.”
“Good. Now, I want you to go to the bathroom and wash all that makeup off and call your mom to bring you some clothes that won’t get you mauled in the hallway.”
My eyes had widened as his words sank in. I’d snatched my hand from him and backed away. “You can’t tell me what to do!” I’d gasped, horrified at the idea of my mom knowing what I’d worn to school.
He’d studied me then, his eyes seeming to peer into the very depths of my soul. When he’d spoken again, his voice still had the same calm, but there was something else I couldn’t quite name. “You’ll do it, because you’re a good girl at heart, Shelly. But if you need any incentive, I could always put you over my knee first.”
My eyes had gone even rounder as I contemplated his words. Mutely, I shook my head and Josh stood up, dusting off the knees of his jeans before he left me alone behind the stairs. I’d sank to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest and feeling very sorry for myself. It looked like I’d done all that work for nothing.
For the first time since school began, I avoided Josh, turning the other way if I ever saw him in the hallway. He didn’t seek me out, either, though I was sure he knew I’d obeyed him and called my mom for a change of clothes. I’d been grounded for a week and I’d spent every day trying to hate him. I’d worked so hard and for what? For him to call me a little girl and tell me to change?
But I’d spent too much time loving him for it to dissipate, even as badly as I wanted it to. And out of our conversation, one thing kept coming back to me: he knew my name!
I looked across the desk at a very grownup Josh Black and wondered if he was remembering the incident too. If he was, his face gave no indication; his expression stayed neutrally blank.
“Well, how have you been, Shelly?”
“I go by Michelle now, actually.”
He looked me over before giving a nod. “It suits you. You’re all grown up.”
Why did that sound so wonderfully erotic on his lips? Did he mean it to, or was I just reaching, creating shreds of hope out of thin air like I always used to do in high school? Stay focused, I told myself. You’re here for a job interview, not to get stuck on an old crush. You’re too old for that stuff. “Thank you. And obviously you stayed here in Pike County and are the new principal.”
“Yes. It’s a challenging job, I’ll admit, especially with school starting in less than six weeks. It seems that I have a few vacancies to fill.”
Good job, I patted myself on the back. Now we’re back on the right track. “And here I was hoping for a cafeteria position,” I kidded.
He arched an eyebrow. “Were you now?”
“I look pretty sexy in a hairnet.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wished I could take them back. I was just joking around like I normally would with a friend, but considering our past, it made it feel pointed and awkward.
“I can see that,” he said, in a voice so low and seductive that every part of my body flushed. I could feel the heat between my thighs which made me shift uncomfortably in my chair. “Unfortunately, we don’t have any positions open for the cafeteria at the moment. We do, however, need to fill a slot for a kindergarten teacher for this school year.”
I tried unsuccessfully to hide my grimace.
“Is that a problem?”
Perhaps it was the fact that I’d been in such a frantic rush this morning and still felt harried , or the fact that I was sitting across from the guy I used to worship, who I’d spent practically all my teenage years fantasizing about, but I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I don’t really like children.”
For some reason, my admission and the blush that followed made him smirk. “Really? Then why did you apply to a school?”
“I mean, it’s not that I don’t like children, per-se. Just that they’re so loud...and messy...and, well...” I hung my head with a sigh. “I just really need a job.”
“I see. Well, I certainly appreciate your honesty.”
There it was, the death knell. I’d ruined everything because I never knew how to keep my mouth shut.
“Shall we begin the interview then?”
I raised my head slowly, certain that I must have misheard him. “I’m sorry?”
“The interview, Ms. Johnson?” he prompted, all business once more.
“Um...yes. Please.” I did my best to concentrate on the questions he asked me, but my mind kept wandering off every time I allowed myself to look too deeply into those warm brown eyes.
You have the chance to win one of the following grand prizes:
- Kindle or Nook from Blushing Books
- $25 Gift Certificate to Amazon from Stormy Night Publications
- $25 Gift
Certificate to Amazon from Baronet Press
- One month membership to Pandora Blake’s Dreams of Spanking
- Hand made paddle from Blondie’s Place
- $25 Gift Certificate to Amazon from Wizards in Publishing
- You can have it all package by Variant Books
- Six month membership to Discipline & Desire
- $25 GC from Jolynn Raymond
- An ebook package from LearningDD
- Ebook Cover Design & Matching Facebook Cover Picture from Kandes Pixels
Rules
Follow the links to read the blogs–comment on the blog to prove you were there (or answer the participant’s specific question, if they have one). COPY AND PASTE COMMENTS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED! Each comment earns you one entry for the grand prize. You must provide your email address for your entry to count. Individual pages may also have their own form of entry (Rafflecopter, etc) for additional chances to win prizes. Enjoy all the free stories, posts, & fun! Prizes will be announced on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014.