Friday, May 30, 2008

Stripped


by Lauren Dane

We'll start with the book video made by Anya Bast, who is one of the authors in the anthology (and a really fabulous author who can write some steamy sexin!)

So on May 1 - my novella, Stripped, came out in the What Happens in Vegas... anthology from Harlequin Spice.

Here's the blurb: Dahlia Baker had a reputation in her hometown. It was one of the things a woman with a body like hers had to contend with. As if large breasts and legs for miles made her a dumb bimbo. But it wasn’t like anyone cared that she had a 4.0 and a free ride to UNLV and so she grabbed opportunity with both hands and headed for the sunny heat of Las Vegas.

Still, she has bills to pay and if she wants to keep herself in books and a roof over her head, she has to get a job. And that’s where The Dollhouse came in where she worked as a burlesque dancer.

She’s got a plan for her future. But into her life strolls Nash, the brother of the man who owned the Dollhouse and a reputed player. Nash was literally the hottest man she’d ever clapped eyes on.

And he wants her.

Despite her reservations, they enter into a fiery affair and soon Dahlia’s heart is involved.

Nash knows Dahlia is skittish and over time, he begins to understand why. He may be a playboy, but he knows what he wants and he wants forever with Dahlia. It’s just going to take a very skillful combination of extremely hot sex and unconditional love to get her to see it too.


WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS: STRIPPED BY LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2008, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, Harlequin Enterprises


Dahlia moved to the windows, amazed at the view. The mountains stood in the distance but most of the Strip lay below and to the east.

She felt him approach and leaned into his body when he wrapped his arms around her, melting at his touch. “Dinner will arrive in a few minutes. Is Indian all right?”

“Yes, wonderful. This is some view.”

“It is, isn’t it? Wait until it’s full dark. The lights are so beautiful.” His hands slid up under the hem of her shirt, palms smoothing over her bare skin. “You’re so warm.”

“Mmmm.”

“Sweatshirt off. Hands on the window. Spread your feet.”

Her eyes slid closed for a moment as she obeyed, the glass cool against her palms.
One handed, he peeled the cups of her bra back, baring her breasts to his touch, rolling and tugging her nipples. Dahlia opened her eyes to catch the mirrored view in the window of his hand moving down her stomach and beneath the waistband of her yoga pants. She’d considered changing into something fancier but she was glad she hadn’t as clever fingers burrowed into her panties and delved into her pussy.

“You’re so beautiful reflected there, Dahlia.”

Her eyes flicked up, catching his gaze in the window.

What a picture she made! Leaned back into him, one of his hands doing naughty things to her nipple, the other in her pants. No one had ever made her look or feel the way he did. She wasn’t afraid of her sexuality with him. He made her love that side of herself.

“I’m going to make you come. Just a quick one before dinner. And then we’ll take our time. Give it to me, Dahlia.”

“Work for it, Nash,” she gasped as his rhythm against her clit sped up.

A dark chuckle was her reward, hot against her ear and neck. “Tough talk for a woman standing in front of my living room windows with my hand down her pants. Your pussy is hot and juicy in my palm. Do you wonder who can see you?”

Her eyes moved from his to the city below. As her orgasm built, she did indeed wonder. Was there a man in his hotel room with binoculars? Did he see how wanton she was, writhing, rolling her hips against Nash’s hand?

“Dahlia Baker has a kink in her laces.” His voice was teasing and she wanted to laugh but instead gasped as she began to come, fingers pressing against the glass, eyes locked with his again.

Some moments later he put her bra back in place and pulled his hand out of her pants. Reaching up, he drew a fingertip over her bottom lip and spun her, kissing her mouth.

Her taste mixed with his, dizzying her. As always, the dark edge of his sexuality turned her on. Her entire being sparked with electricity. Nash Emery made her feel so alive.

16 comments:

Janine Ashbless said...

Las Vegas is more alien to me than Middle Earth, but that excerpt hit the right spot - and I loved the video!

Portia Da Costa said...

I actually savoured this excerpt *yesterday*... as I'm reading this sumptuous novella at the moment.

It's fantastic, Lauren, I'm really loving it... and Nash is an incredible hottie. ;)

Way to go!

Olivia Knight said...

Sounds like great fun! ;-) Burlesque & Las Vegas, what a fabulous combination. Angela Carter's kicking herself for not having thought of it.

Megan Kerr said...

Great book trailer, btw - the tune just makes you want to strut in slow motion. Or possibly sink to your knees. In slow motion.

Lauren Dane said...

Janine - it's one of my favorite places because it's all about pleasure (well for vacationers, I'm sure it's different if you live there). We don't even gamble but it's so wonderful to lay around, drink at 2 pm and go to shows and fabulous restaurants. It's all about hedonism.

Portia - aww, thanks! I'm so glad you like it.

Olivia - thanks for the text fix this morning, by the way! And thanks for the compliment about the trailer - Anya Bast made it and I think she did a marvelous job.

Anonymous said...

I'm so silly. I come over here to read the excerpt and I'm like wait a minute, I've read this book! And it was freaking awesome! So yay!!

:)

Unknown said...

Yummy, glass windows, sex and Las Vega, some of my favorite things-well maybe not the glass windows, all that cleaning. :)
What a great way to start Friday!

Lauren Dane said...

Thanks, Karen, LOL!

Lauren Dane said...

LOL, Kate! While I include condoms I don't include window cleaning!

Anonymous said...

Las Vegas, one place I haven't visited yet, but I plan to soon.

Loved the excerpt.

Lauren Dane said...

Deanna - thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love this book. Stripped is a wonderful read and the characters add the right amount of spice.

Lauren Dane said...

Hiya Mary! and thanks!

AuthorM said...

Bow chicka bow bow!

Lauren Dane said...

M - you know it.

Angell said...

Work for it Nash - GOD I LOVE IT.

Great excerpt - stunning visual. Can't wait to read the whole thing.