by Vivian Vincent A FREE READ coming soon from eXcessica.com Ashley and Paula are roommates. When Paula plans an intervention to get Ashley away from her current boyfriend, something surprising happens. Eventually Ashley sees what her friends are telling her and she takes a renewed interest in Paula's brother. |
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Ashley stood in the kitchen, peeking around the corner as Jack greeted everyone in the other room. She saw him looking around and figured he was looking for her. She turned and took a few steps to the counter where the toaster was and leaned over to look at her reflection. “God, I look hideous!” she said, running her fingers through her hair and straightening her clothing. “No, you look beautiful as always, Ash,” a male voice from behind her replied. His voice startled her and she jumped when she heard it. “Jack! You scared the shit out of me!” “Sorry.” He flashed a wickedly sexy grin at her and leaned against the door frame separating the kitchen and the living room, one foot crossed over the other and his arms folded in front of him. Jack was two years older than Paula. He stood about six foot with collar length brown hair and violet eyes. She often wondered where he’d gotten his incredibly sexy eyes from because no one in his family had eyes like his. He wasn't overly muscular, but he was in good shape. He had a broad chest, slim waist and hips leading down into long muscular legs. His jeans weren't skin tight, but they were tight enough to have women thinking all sorts of sinful thoughts about him, especially Ashley. Ashley felt as if he were looking into her soul whenever she saw him. His presence was always unsettling to her and she found herself fumbling with her words as well as her actions. This time was no different. She fumbled with the dishes in the sink, dropping one to the floor when she turned to face him. She mumbled incoherently and refused to make eye contact with him. As she gathered up the pieces of the broken dish, she heard Paula's voice call out from the other room. “Are you all right?” “Yeah, I'm fine,” Ashley replied to Paula. “Just clumsy,” she added quietly to herself. “Do you want some help?” “No, thanks. I'll be fine. I'll be out in a minute.” “I can wait, I want to talk with you.” “I—I have to finish the dishes, Jack.” Ashley righted herself after she cleaned up the last of the broken dish. “It may be a bit before I'm done.” “Like I said, I can wait.” He took a few steps toward her and stopped when he saw her body tense and she took a step back. “I—you—can you wait in the living room?” she stammered, still refusing to look at him. “What's wrong, Ashley? Do I make you nervous?” “Yes—no—just go wait in the living room please, Jack?” Jack ignored her request and approached her again. He stood directly behind her at the sink and ran his hands down the length of her bare arms, feeling her tremble under his touch. “You can't deny the attraction between us forever, Ash.” The longing in his voice surprised her and she couldn’t help herself when he stepped closer. Her voice caught in her throat and she found she couldn’t answer him. Instead she melted against him, feeling his arms wrap around her waist and pull her closer. She laid her head back on his shoulder and closed her eyes, breathing in his wonderful scent. His favorite cologne was Preferred Stock. Ashley always loved the smell of it despite Mark hating it. It always smelled especially good on Jack. “Wha—what are you doing?” she asked breathlessly. “Something I should have done a very long time ago.” He turned her in his arms. Jack cradled her face in his hands and tilted Ashley’s head up to face him. She still wouldn't make eye contact with him. He bowed his head and captured her lips with his own. He kept the kiss light, but allowed her to feel the desire he felt for her. She ran her hands up his chest to his shoulders then tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him in for a deeper kiss. He ran one hand up her side, causing her to shiver again. That same hand found her breast and cupped it gently while his thumb played lightly across the hard nipple through the material of her t-shirt and bra. She arched her back into his hand and heard him let out a soft moan. He tore his lips from hers and left a trail of fiery kisses down her neck to her collarbone. His other hand cupped her firm ass and pulled her even closer against him, causing his rapidly growing erection to press intimately into her belly. “Ahem!” a voice from the doorway said. Jack and Ashley pulled away from each other as if they were both too hot to touch. “Paula! I—we—nothing happened!” Ashley choked out. “Sure, whatever you say,” she snickered. “I was just wondering when the two of you were going to join us.” |
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by Vivian Vincent Coming soon from Written Expressions Natalie Arnold has had many personal tragedies in her life. She plods on, trying to rebuild her shattered spirit, mourning the loss of both of her parents. Her sexy neighbor Xander Angelis proves too much of a temptation for her, but she's unaware that Xander is really her guardian angel. His assignment? Restore Natalie's spirit and find his way into her heart. |
It was a forty-five minute drive home and the sexual tension between Xander and Natalie continued to grow. They’d both sneak looks at the other, feeling the desire course through their veins and rob them of any rational thought. Xander drove faster than the posted speed limit and Natalie didn’t seem to mind. They both wanted to get back to her apartment as quickly as possible. She tried to tell herself that she’d only known him a few weeks and she shouldn’t be feeling this way, she shouldn’t have such a fierce longing for him, but it was hopeless. She felt connected to Xander in a way she’d never felt with anyone else. She didn’t know much about him and decided tonight would be the night she’d ask him about his life. She didn’t know what kind of work he did to pay the bills, if he had any brothers or sisters or even if he got along with his parents. He was a mystery to her, but his deep amber gaze combined with his rich Greek accent compelled her to learn more about him. Natalie blushed when she glanced over at Xander and saw him gazing at her with hunger and longing. A horn blasting behind them broke them both from the trance they seemed to be in and Xander pressed his foot to the accelerator. He made the turn into their apartment complex, parked and was out of the car before Natalie could even unfasten her seatbelt. He opened the passenger door and pulled her into his arms, crushing his lips to hers in a frenzied kiss. He pulled her closer against him and took a step back to close the car door, never breaking the kiss. He felt her nipples harden against him and had to fight not to take her right there in the parking lot. Breaking the kiss, he cradled her face in his hands and gazed deep into her eyes. “I cannot deny my desire for you any longer, Natalie. Consequences be damned.” She gazed at him with confusion and simply nodded, unable to form a coherent sentence after he’d kissed the breath from her lungs. She felt tiny jolts of electricity shoot up her arm and through her body when he took her hand and led her into their building. Natalie fumbled with her keys, her hands trembling and her heart racing at the thought of what would happen once they were inside. She had a vision in her head of herself sprawled across her kitchen table, Xander standing and looking down at her, both of them gloriously naked with him holding the bowl of cut papaya she’d had earlier. She felt moisture pool between her legs at the thought of Xander taking her in such a way. He must have been able to read her mind because when she turned to him after they’d entered her apartment, the look on his face was one of pure animal lust. Xander took a step closer to Natalie. Their eyes remained locked in a heated, lustful gaze. She didn’t back away from him. He took another step closer. “Xander.” His name was a breathless whisper from her full, very kissable lips. He took the final step to close the gap between them. Reaching out, he pulled her against him and claimed her lips in another fiery kiss. When she rocked her hips against him, he stifled a groan. He needed to be inside her. He felt it with every fiber of his being. |
by Vivian Vincent Coming March 8, 2010 in e-book and print from eXcessica.com Kenny Rosnoski finds himself having dreams of a beautiful young woman. He feels a connection to her and can't explain it because he's sure they've never met. When he inherits an old house from his grandmother after her death, he decides to renovate it and discovers an old mirror in a room he'd never been in. After he sees the same woman from his dreams in his room, he goes to investigate, only to discover the mirror is a portal to another time and the woman is most definitely real--and living 150 years in the past! Annica Miller was treated more like a servant than a daughter by her own mother. She spends time in her room to try and escape her mother's harsh treatment. When she discovers the magic of the mirror in her room, she uses it as a way to hide away from her own life. Little does she know she'll meet the man of her dreams--a man who lives 150 years in the future! |
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Summer 2007 Kenny couldn't get the image of the girl from the mirror out of his mind. He'd only seen her face once in his dreams, but it was enough to have him remembering every detail. Her hypnotic blue eyes, her full, kissable lips and her high cheek bones along with her long, flowing blonde hair and curvaceous body had his head spinning and his heart beating furiously every time he thought of her. Not to mention what it was doing to other parts of his body. He had to know who she was. He walked into the small grocery store on Joseph Campau Street, just up the road from the house. It'd been three weeks and the contractors were finished with the renovations. He'd made a deal with his landlord about his apartment, then loaded up his car with as many of his things as he could--things he definitely couldn't live without. It was time to move in to the house, but he needed a few groceries first. As he pulled into the driveway of the old Victorian house, he paused while getting out of the car. Jack and his crew had done a wonderful job on getting the house restored. He was a little surprised at how quickly they had finished, but was happy the work was finally complete. Now he could explore without interruption. He walked into the kitchen with the box of groceries under his arm. He placed them on the table then turned to get more things from his car. Once everything was unloaded, he headed back into the kitchen to put the groceries away. He paused when he thought he smelled the same feminine scent he'd smelled a few weeks before. He shook his head, thinking his mind was just playing tricks on him. Once he finished putting the groceries away, he went to the sink to fill up a jug with water. He held the jug under the faucet and froze when he saw traces of water in the sink. He knew no one had been here in three weeks and wondered where the water drops came from. He looked up at the ceiling for any signs of leakage, knowing the new bathroom he'd had built was partially over the kitchen. When he saw nothing, he shrugged it off and filled the water jug. He put the jug in the refrigerator and went to inspect the rest of the house. He saw the lamps in the sitting room on and thought that odd as well, but again brushed it off, then walked over and touched the bases of each one before heading upstairs. He stopped as he reached the top of the stairs. The delicate feminine scent was stronger here and he felt his heart beating wildly. He walked to the doors of the new bathroom. Kenny opened one of the doors slowly and felt a mugginess hit him. It was as if someone had recently been in there. He took a few steps into the bathroom and was surprised to find the mirrors fogged up and droplets of water in the tub. He discovered this was where the scent was coming from and realized someone had been in his house! He left the bathroom and made his way down the hall to the room with the mirror. He opened the door quickly and rushed in to find nothing. The bed was made, but there was still that soft feminine scent in the air. The curtains were open and the late afternoon sunlight shone brightly through the windows. He turned to the mirror when he thought he saw movement, only to find himself staring at his own reflection. He stood directly in front of the mirror and ran his hand along the surface again. He stepped back slightly when he thought his fingers went through near the center. Kenny placed his hand directly in the center and pushed gently then watched his hand disappear into the mirror. "Impossible," he said aloud, but continued to push his arm through the mirror despite his disbelief. As more of his body was engulfed by the mirror, the whole surface liquefied and he was able to walk through with little effort. He stood in the same room he'd just left. He glanced over his shoulder to see the ripples in the mirror slowly fading and wondered exactly what had just happened. He looked around the room and noticed it was the same room, but some things were different. The quilt on the bed was different. It was old and worn and looked as if it had been handmade. There was a kerosene lantern on the small table next to the bed instead of the touch-sensitive lamp. He took a few steps to the door and opened it slowly. He could still smell the scent he'd smelled in the bathroom and inhaled deeply, committing the scent to memory. Kenny walked out into the hallway and noticed the floor didn't creak beneath his feet as it had just a few minutes before. He opened a door to his right and discovered instead of the bathroom, it was just another bedroom, the room which used to be his when he was a child. He closed the door quietly and walked down the hall to the stairs. He paused at the top when he heard voices. |
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by Vivian Vincent Coming April 19, 2010 in e-book and print from eXcessica.com Book two in the Timeless Love series. This story picks up immediately where Reflections of a Stranger left off. James Rosnoski led a decent life working as a chef. When he and his twin sisters decide to disassemble the mirror that brought their parents together thirty years before, he never expected to fall through it himself and end up 150 years in the future. He's drawn instantly to the woman he meets, but he's torn between staying with her and starting a new life, or finding a way to get home to the life he had. Clarissa Maheras was content with her relatively secluded life. She had a gift she considered more of a curse, but when she meets James after he falls through the mirror and onto her land, she suddenly wants the happily ever after every woman dreams of. But what about her gift? Will it keep her and James apart or can they find a way to be together? |
"Pudge!" her uncle said, getting up from his desk and embracing Clarissa in a hug. "Hi, Uncle Frank," Clarissa said with a slight irritation in her voice as she hugged him. She hated the nickname he still used. She was far from the pudgy little kid any more. "What brings you back so soon?" "Didn't Ava tell you? I know she and Max interface from time to time. She said she knew of James already." "All she told me was you had a new house guest and he was from the past." Frank directed Clarissa to the overstuffed sofa beside his desk. He sat down beside her, noticing that she didn't wear her gloves. He pointed to her hands. "So what gives? Why no gloves?" "That's why I'm here, Uncle Frank. I need to explain some things to you." Clarissa proceeded to tell him all about where and how she found James, right up until earlier in the day when she'd tried to get him home. She left out the part about the most recent erotic vision she'd inadvertently shared with James, but she did tell her uncle about the kiss. "Don't you see what's happening, Pudge?" "No. That's why I came to you. I want to know what's happening and why I no longer have these visions with James." "Your father never told you anything about your gift, did he?" "No--well he told me a little. He told me anyone who was a blood relative would be able to touch me and I wouldn't experience visions." Clarissa shifted impatiently in her seat, waiting for her uncle to get to the point. "Well." Frank sat back on the sofa. "If you come into contact with the one destined to be your partner for life, the visions will stop, but only with that person." Clarissa gasped at the information her uncle had just revealed. James? My partner for life? Despite how she felt at the fact no one had told her, she couldn't fight the smile spreading across her face or the sudden increase of her heart beat. "Why didn't you or he ever tell me before?" "I don't know." "Uncle Frank, James is with me. I'd like for you to meet him." "I'd like to meet him, but before I do, I need to know something, Pudge." "What's that?" "Do you love him?" Clarissa broke eye contact with her uncle, turning her gaze toward the door where James stood waiting on the other side. She'd only loved one other man in her life and it was so long ago she wasn't sure if this was the same way she felt now. No, it's not the same. These feelings are so much stronger. She took a deep breath before she spoke one simple word. "Yes." "Then don't work to get him home, work to win his heart." Her uncle rose to his feet and headed for the door. He opened it slowly, smiling as he made eye contact with James. Frank could see it in his eyes James was indeed Clarissa's other half. "You must be James. I'm Frank Hiller, Clarissa's uncle." Nice to meet you, Mr. Hiller," James replied as he shook the man's hand. Frank stood the same height as James. His short brown hair and well kept mustache were starting to show traces of grey. James guessed Clarissa's uncle had to be around the same age as his father. He had broad shoulders and looked to be quite fit for a man his age. He wore the same clothing as everyone else, only in black and he had the same shoes as Max--vintage Nike's with the red swoosh. He held James' hand firmly and smiled at him when he caught a glimpse of Clarissa with James in his mind. Oh yes, they're definitely well suited for each other, Frank thought as he brought his hand away. James decided immediately he liked the man. His brown eyes sparkled with life. His smile was warm and inviting. "Stop with the formalities, James. Call me Frank. " He turned and walked back into his study. He directed James to the sofa where Clarissa was. "Can I offer either of you something to drink or a snack?" His hand hovered over a small button on his desk. "No thanks," James and Clarissa answered together. "Very well." Frank took his seat behind the massive desk. "So tell me about yourself, James." James fidgeted nervously, not really liking the way Frank was sizing him up. What did she tell him about me? "I don't know what Clarissa has already told you, Frank." "I don't want your life story, James. Just the basics. If we're to get you home, I need to know how you got here." "I came through The Mirror of Broken Hearts." "Okay. What else?" "That's it." "And what have you tried with Clarissa?" "I haven't tried anything with her! I've been the perfect gentleman! I don't know what she's told--" "That's not what I meant, James, relax." Frank smiled wickedly even though he knew he shouldn't have. "I meant, what have you tried with Clarissa to get you home?" "Oh," James said, blushing. "She explained to me what Madame Dorina did with my mother to allow her to travel through the mirror a final time, Frank. Apparently Madame Dorina transferred her energy to my mother. We tried the same, but were unsuccessful." "Come here, James." Frank motioned to the chair opposite him. James rose slowly to his feet, glancing at Clarissa over his shoulder then taking the seat offered by her uncle. He sat down on the edge, his body rigid with nerves. He wasn't sure what to expect, but hoped whatever it was wouldn't cause him harm. "Give me your hand." Frank took James' hand when he held it out and turned it so his palm was facing up. Frank studied the lines on his palm then turned his eyes to James. "What kind of work do you do, James?" "I'm a chef. I was hoping to open my own restaurant someday." "Well you have a long lifeline here, James." James pulled his hand away and rested both hands in his lap. "What does this have to do with getting me home, Frank?" "Nothing." "Then how do you intend--" "Let me ask you something, James." "Okay." "I can tell by looking into your eyes you're an honest man, so I know you won't lie to me." "I have no reason to, sir." "Do you want to go home?" "No." "Then why did you agree to come here today? I thought you knew Clarissa's intentions were to ask me to help in getting you back to your own time." "I only wanted to come with her because I thought it's what she wanted." "So you came here, willing to let me try to get you home, just to please her?" "Yes, sir." "Why would you do something like that?" Clarissa stared at James, waiting for his answer and wondering exactly why she was so anxious to hear what he'd say. Frank tapped his fingers on his desk, glancing over at Clarissa, then back at James. "She's been good to me in the short time I've been here, Frank. I know I've probably turned her world upside down. If she wants me to go home, I'm more than willing to do what she wants." What I want is you, Clarissa thought, blushing and turning her eyes away from her uncle and James. "That's very noble of you, but let me ask you this again: do you want to go home?" "Yes and no," James replied, turning his eyes away from Frank. Frank raised an eyebrow at James' different response, waiting patiently for him to elaborate. "I want to know my parents and my sisters are safe. I want them to know I'm safe. That's why I want to go. But, I feel a very strong urge to stay because I--" he paused, casting a quick glance over his shoulder at Clarissa. "I--uh--think I'm falling in love with your niece." |
Reflections of a Stranger cover (c) 2009 by Selena Kitt
Clarissa’s Touch cover (c) 2009 Alessia Brio
Saving Natalie cover (c) 2009 Vivian Vincent
Intervention cover (c) 2010 Dakota Trace
Do not use without permission.