Greetings All,

How’s everyone doing?

I hope you’re well. I wanted to give an update on what I have coming up in the next few weeks, and to give a little teaser of Raul and Mercedes’ story. I will be having two book discussions in the coming weeks on Facebook. The first is August 1 (this Saturday) at 7pm eastern standard time, hosted by Crystal Moody and the group Violette Dubrinsky’s Fantasyland. The second book discussion will be on Wednesday August 12 at 7pm EST, hosted by S.K. Lessly’s Alpha Addicts group. These are my first book discussions and I am SO excited. I’ve been to a few other book discussions by authors I’ve read, and I enjoy getting to learn the author’s process while they were writing and how they came up with certain story lines. I am looking forward to talking with my readers and getting more of your thoughts and questions.

Secondly, I know I’ve been saying for weeks that Raul and Mercedes’ story is coming (and it is. I promise.). It is currently in the editing stages, but I wanted to give you a little sneak peak from the book to whet your palates! So, without further ado, I present a little from Raul and Mercedes. Enjoy!

“Leaving so soon.” Devyn and Mercedes turned to see Raul approach.
“Yeah, I couldn’t convince her to stay the night,” Devyn answered.
“Uh, yeah. I’ve got some things I need to do tomorrow,” Mercedes tightened her lips wondering why she felt the need to explain herself to him.
“Let me walk you to your car.” He grabbed Mercedes around the waist before she could protest and opened the door. Devyn’s eyebrow raised, but she remained silent.
Mercedes felt a sensation of warmth through her dress, where Raul’s hand pressed into her lower back. She had to force herself not to lean into him.
“This wasn’t necessary. I’m sure Yvette is wondering where you are,” Mercedes said, in an attempt to remind herself and him that he was there with another woman. Other than a small tick in his jaw Raul did not respond, and kept walking to her pine green Kia. As they walked Mercedes inhaled his masculine scent, she knew it was a mix of some type of expensive cologne and a scent that was all Raul Santiago.
“This is it. Thank you,” she said as they arrived at her car. She turned to look up at him when she felt his hand still pressing on the small of her back.
Raul nodded. “You’re welcome, Querida.” Mercedes didn’t know what the last word meant, but she remembered he’d repeated it over and over when they kissed outside his hotel room that night. She shivered just thinking of the way his lips felt as they moved over hers. She unconsciously stared at his lips and licked her own. She didn’t even notice until she saw Raul’s lips turn up into a smile.
“See something you like?” He asked in that wicked tone that shot straight to her core.
“You wish,” she said defiantly pulling her gaze off his lips and up to his eyes. That was even worse. His eyes held a sinful look. He knew she wanted him.
“I do,” he said still smiling.
Mercedes placed her hands on her hips. “I don’t think Yvette would appreciate your talking to me like this. And for that matter neither would Cindy, or did you finally break up with her instead just cheating on her?” Mercedes heard the anger in her own voice but didn’t care.
Raul didn’t rise to the bait.
“I already told you I don’t even know Cindy and I have not seen her since that night. As for Yvette, she’s just a friend.” Mercedes eyed him closely. For some reason she believed him about Cindy, and maybe even Yvette. She couldn’t blame the man for women coming on to him or being attracted to him. He was deliciously attractive, successful in his career, and very wealthy. She looked into his eyes and knew, if given the chance he could make her fall hard for him. She couldn’t allow that.
“If you say so. That’s none of my damn business,” she said stepping back to unlock her car door.
“What if I wanted to make it your business?” He asked flirtatiously. Mercedes tried hard not to smile, but his was infectious. She smiled as the butterflies in her stomach rose.
“I’m leaving now. Goodbye, Mr. Santiago,” she said using his last name, attempting to assert some emotional distance.
“Raul,” he stated in a low, but firm voice.
“What?” she asked caught off guard.
“My name is Raul. Say it,” he commanded.
“Mr. Sa–”
“Raul,” he commanded more sternly stepping closer to tower over her. Mercedes felt the butterflies in her stomach turn into a full on jackhammer as her insides hummed with desire under his watchful gaze. She wanted to be her usual defiant self and let him know she wasn’t the least bit turned on. But, they both knew that would be a lie.
“Raul,” she said just above a whisper.
Those sexy lips of his, again, turned up into a devil’s grin. He’d won this round.