Hold Me Close Page 28

  He remembered her saying she wanted a guy who would take charge and make demands. He’d thought it was the alcohol talking. “You want me to slam you up against a wall and kiss you?”

  “I want you to loosen your control enough that you don’t worry about being careful with me.”

  “You were very clear when we talked. You said not fast and not rough. I’m okay with that.” The way she had curled into herself that night almost crushed him. He’d never forgive himself if he had been the cause of such a reaction.

  “I was wrong. It depends on who I’m with. It’s different with you. It’s right. I want all of you.” She ground her hips down, and he felt how wet she still was.

  “Does that mean I get all of you?”

  “You got it.”

  His fingers flexed and dug into the flesh of her hips. God, he wanted to be inside her. He’d never wanted to take her as much as he did right now. He unclenched his jaw. “And you promise you’ll tell me if I overstep?”

  She giggled. “Have I ever held my tongue?”

  “Good point.” He lifted slightly off the bed and spun until she was flat on the mattress beneath his body. He pinned her in place with his hips and yanked at the blouse to spread it apart. Her tits pointed up at him and he sucked on a nipple while pinching the other. She moaned and wiggled.

  She hiked her leg up and her damn gym shoes scraped against his side and his back. He hissed with the pain and spread her legs wide. She stared up at him with a cocked eyebrow. After tugging off her shoes, he stripped off his underwear and slid a condom on. Then he covered Maggie’s body.

  He stroked her clit while kissing her neck. She clawed at his head and his back. He brought her to the brink of orgasm and backed off. He’d show her all about losing control. He slid into her and paused, allowing her warm, silky smoothness to work its magic on him.

  Barely pulling out, he bumped his pelvis into hers. Her muscles tightened around him. He wrapped his arms around her body, holding her close, as he pumped into her, driving as hard and deep as her body allowed.

  He gripped her leg and pressed it toward her chest. The movement gave him the angle he wanted. Her body bowed, and she screamed her release. He slowed his movements until she came down. Her muscles contracted, pulling him in.

  “Oh, God, Shane.” Her breath came in little puffs. Her eyes barely opened to slits and her smile was weak.

  He grinned. She thought they were done. He pulled out, grabbed her, and flipped her over. She landed on her stomach with an oomph. With his knees, he nudged her thighs apart and lowered himself to her. He smoothed her hair away from her face and neck. “Still good?” His voice was raspy with need. If he didn’t get back inside her soon, he might explode right here, looking at her ass pointed up at him.

  She raised her hips and nodded. He slid back into her wet pussy from behind. One hand held her shoulder and the other grasped her hip, his thumb pressing into her ass. He sank deep. As he began thrusting, her hands fisted in the blanket. He pumped wildly, flesh slapping, his release close.

  Maggie screamed out. He growled and fell on top of her. They were both panting and sweaty and totally fucking wasted.

  Her arm waved weakly. “Can’t. Breathe,” she huffed out.

  He rolled off her. “Sorry.”

  She still didn’t move. His hand had left a hint of a mark on her hip. Not enough to cause a bruise but enough to show that she was his. He tugged off the condom and tied it off. He struggled to sit up and toss it in the trash.

  Maggie slowly rolled over. Red marks marred her chest, where his whiskers rubbed against her, and he’d left a bite mark on her collarbone. He didn’t even remember doing that. Yeah, if anyone could make him lose control, it was this woman.

  “Stop,” she mumbled without opening her eyes.

  “Stop what?” He lay next to her and tossed a leg over hers.

  “You’re worrying about this. All you need to know is that was the best freaking time I’ve had in my life. You’re going to have a hard time topping that after I move in.”

  His brain was fuzzy, so he wasn’t sure if he’d heard her right. He forced himself up, bracing on an elbow. He poked her side to get her attention. She opened one eye and smirked.

  “Did you say you’re moving in?”

  “Yep.”

  “All I had to do was screw you blind to get you to agree?”

  “You’re a funny man, Shane.” But her face grew serious as she opened her other eye and stared at him. She stroked his jaw. “You have to promise to stay open like this. To be your total self. I want it all.”

  “You got it.” He echoed her words back to her. He kissed her with his last bit of energy. She was okay. He saw it in her eyes and in her smile. Not just now in the afterglow of great sex, but in working on her new jobs and dealing with her family. He held her close and breathed her in.

  They would have it all.

  Broken Cookies

  When I had to decide what to make for a recipe for this book, I knew I wanted to go back to making cookies because that’s my favorite to bake. I needed something that would fit who Maggie is—someone who seems broken but is really made of good stuff. The best thing about these cookies is that you can make them with whatever mix-ins you have on hand. My daughter and I made a batch of dough and then split it, each choosing what to add. Both batches came out great. Have fun with it.

  Ingredients

  1 cup unsalted butter

  2¼ cups flour

  1 teaspoon baking soda

  ½ teaspoon salt

  1 cup brown sugar

  ½ cup sugar

  2 eggs

  2 teaspoons vanilla

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  Melt butter on stovetop until golden brown. Let sit to cool.

  In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.

  In mixer, combine sugars. Mix melted butter into sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add in flour mixture in thirds.

  By hand, stir in your favorite combination of mix-ins. I used:

  1 cup chopped pretzels (I used waffle ones—they chopped easily)

  1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

  1 cup toffee chips

  Other options: pecans, walnuts, peanuts, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips . . . anything that sounds good to you.

  Scoop ¼ cup of dough and place on cookie sheet, 2 inches apart from the next scoop.

  These are big cookies. Bake for 15 minutes until edges are golden brown. Cool on pan for a few minutes before moving to cooling rack.

  Don’t miss any of the O’Learys series, available wherever eBooks are sold!

  MORE THAN THIS

  When a lonely teacher teams up with a handsome

  bartender for some outrageous acts, they both get

  more than they bargained for. . . .

  Learning her ex-husband is going to be a father, Quinn Adams is determined to have a baby of her own—without the partnership of a man. But her sister and friends believe she needs to focus on herself first, and step out of her comfort zone by completing a list of adventures. Challenge number one is to go on five dates within two weeks. After a few disastrous attempts, Quinn’s ready to give up—until sexy bartender Ryan O’Leary offers his assistance.

  Ryan has always been the dependable one in his family, often at his expense. But lately, he’s been longing for a life—and a woman—of his own. Though it seems all Quinn wants is friendship, Ryan can’t ignore the explosive chemistry he feels between them. In the hopes of becoming closer, Ryan offers to help out with Quinn’s list. But when she asks him for a serious favor, he’s afraid it will jeopardize his chance to become more than friends.

  A GOOD TIME

  A passionate free spirit and a sweet-talking playboy

  sound like a match made in heaven—

  until life gets in the way of all the fun and games. . . .

  Indy Adams values her freedom above all else. She works hard to support hers
elf, moonlighting as a waitress while she fights for her first big sale in the Chicago real estate market. The last thing she needs is to be tied down, so she doesn’t think twice about declining her philandering boyfriend’s marriage proposal. Besides, she just landed a new client, a wealthy lothario—exactly the kind of guy who would understand her no-strings approach....

  Handsome, rich, and charitable, most women jump at the chance to even talk to video game developer Griffin Walker, let alone date him. So he can’t understand why Indy wants nothing more than a few steamy nights together. Despite his romantic track record, Griffin longs for real love—complete with a home and family—and he wants it with Indy. But a blessing in disguise may lead them both to a life they never expected and give Griffin a chance to show Indy that it’s okay to want more than a good time....

  SOMETHING TO PROVE

  Two ambitious people team up to prove themselves

  to their families—and find there may be more to

  their partnership than just business....

  Elizabeth Brannigan is determined to show her father she’s capable of running the family business. Saving his struggling Chicago bar seems like the perfect project. But she’ll need a little help dealing with the rough crowd. Who better to assist her than the handsome co-owner of a thriving Irish pub? Of course, with so much work to do, there are bound to be a few late nights....

  Colin O’Leary’s father passed away before he could prove to him that he wasn’t a screwup. Now he wants to show his brother he’s responsible enough to own a bar of his own—and Elizabeth may be able to help him. But when their professional aspirations clash, tempers—and passions—flare. Are they mature enough to mix business with pleasure—or will they have to choose between the two?

  CATCH YOUR BREATH

  As kids they steered clear of one another—but now

  a beautiful, well-connected reporter and a sexy,

  driven detective are all grown-up and on the job....

  Moira O’Leary’s work as a reporter gives her access to some of Chicago’s swankiest soirées. She knows how to navigate the jet-set crowd, and her style and confidence help her blend right in. But when her childhood crush starts popping up at posh events, her poise begins to falter—until she realizes she has the upper hand in a high-stakes game of secrets and seduction....

  Jimmy O’Malley has always tried to avoid his friend Liam’s little sister. Something about Moira spelled trouble. But he’s out of his element working undercover in Chicago’s high society, and Moira is his ticket to the inner circle. As sparks begin to fly—and their chemistry heats up—Moira gets dangerously close to his investigation. Will Jimmy be forced to push her away to keep her safe—or will they surrender to a desire that could leave them breathless?

  JUST A TASTE

  Grief has brought them together again—will love open

  the door to their future? When it’s an O’Leary in the picture,

  finding out is just part of the adventure. . . .

  Carmen Delgado is left reeling when her father dies. Taking care of him has been her sole purpose for so long, she’s forgotten what it’s like to have dreams of her own. And with steady, sexy Liam O’Leary inheriting a share in her dad’s successful food truck, Carmen is suddenly free to explore her life’s possibilities. She never expected Liam to provide the kind of temptation she’s not sure she can resist....

  A talented chef, Liam O’Leary has been itching to open his own restaurant for years—and the death of his mentor is a reminder that time passes too quickly. Gus’s Taco Taxi isn’t exactly what he dreamed of, but he can’t desert Gus’s daughter. Working side by side is an unexpected pleasure—and grown-up Carmen is alluring in all new ways. Is love on the menu, or will old fears and insecurities drive them apart?

  And check out Shannyn Schroeder’s

  Hot and Nerdy trilogy, out now!

  With college graduation looming, three childhood friends vow to make spring break their last blast of pure fun before the realities of adulthood set in. But plans don’t always go the way they should. . . .

  HER BEST SHOT

  Layla Sharpe is definitely more math ninja than bikini babe, and her future has been calculated with razor precision. Convinced to let loose over spring break, Layla is finally ready to party—until her car breaks down halfway to her destination, leaving her stranded in Georgia with a mouthwateringly hot pool shark. She knows more than enough about angles to learn the game, but this week she wants him to appreciate her curves....

  Phin Marks has never met a girl like Layla. She’s more Star Wars geek than seductress, and when he offers her a place to stay while her car is in the shop, he’s counting on the attraction between them to set the nights ablaze, no strings attached. But every moment he spends with Layla makes it harder to let her go. Can he persuade her to gamble in the most dangerous way possible . . . on forever?

  HER PERFECT GAME

  Charlie Castle is an expert archer and a fierce warrior—in her favorite video game, anyway. But college life was a program she couldn’t quite master. To land a cybertech job without a degree, she’s entering a “hackfest” over spring break—where she also hopes to meet the sweet gamer who’s been flirting with her online. Instead, she runs into the hot guy who walked away years ago, and can’t fight the desire that comes rushing back.

  Jonah Best has never gotten over Charlie, whose kisses were always as deliciously creative as her coding. But now that they’re face-to-face again, he doesn’t know how to admit that her online admirer is really him—or how to convince her that he’s offering her a job for her incredible skills, not her sex appeal. Can Jonah cut through their communication glitches and persuade Charlie that the next level up for them should be forever?

  HER WINNING FORMULA

  Chemistry major Felicity Stone can tell you everything about the way chemicals interact, but when it comes to social interaction, she needs schooling. Abandoned by her friends, Felicity is faced with spending spring break alone—unless she accepts a gorgeous stranger’s invitation to pose as his girlfriend at a family wedding. Not one to turn down a research opportunity, Felicity never expected it to produce such breathtaking results....

  Teacher and baseball coach Lucas Tanner is fascinated by Felicity’s potent mix of spirit and scientist, not to mention her delicious curves. When Felicity asks him to return the favor by teaching her how to pick up guys, he can’t refuse—but he’s not at all happy with the idea of her using a formula for flirting on anyone but him. Can he convince her that together they have the perfect chemistry?

  Photo: Nicole Morisco

  About the Author

  Shannyn Schroeder is a former high school and middle school English teacher. She holds a BA in English and MAs in Special Education and Gifted Education. After having her third child, she decided to stay at home. She’s since worked as an editor for a couple of e-publishers and currently works as an editor for an education company that publishes online current events assignments. She juggles writing around the kids’ schedules.

  In her spare time, Shannyn loves to bake and watches far too much TV, especially cop shows. She started her first book on a dare from her husband and has never looked back. She came to reading romance later than many, but lives for the happy ending, and writes contemporary romance because she enjoys the adventure of new love.

  Readers can visit Shannyn online at www.shannynschroeder.com and follow her on Twitter @SSchroeder_.

  LYRICAL SHINE BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2015 by Shannyn Schroeder

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  LYRICAL SHINE and the Lyrical Shine logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

  eISBN-13: 978-1-60183-331-0


  eISBN-10: 1-60183-331-8

  First Electronic Edition: July 2015

  ISBN: 978-1-6018-3331-0