High-Sticked
(Hot Ice #5)
by Lily Harlem
Erotic Gay Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Release Date: June 21,2013
Heat Level: Sizzling
Word Count: 55,000
Available at:
Ellora’s Cave - http://www.ellorascave.com/high-sticked.html
Description:
Dating Todd “Pretty” Carty was a trailblazing,
headline-grabbing ride that shocked and divided a team, a sport and a nation.
While controversy ruled, our feelings exploded and we couldn’t deny the desire
that sizzled between us. Nothing, however, was easy outside the bedroom. Not
when my world-class, fearless athlete wanted to shout from Everest that he was
in love with another man.
But laying my heart on the line and having my picture
dominating the papers was worth it. Everything about Todd turned me on. His
bold hockey skills, his courageous attitude and the way he melted in my arms
when I kissed him. I melted too, because he knew how to press my buttons, remind
me of the man I used to be and take me to those places where ecstasy ruled.
The world might have trouble accepting us, but we’d
committed to each other, mind, body and soul, and nothing could change that.
Warning: This title is
intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex scenes
and/or situations and adult language, and may be considered offensive to some
readers.
Excerpt:
The
coffeepot clicked and started its low gurgling routine. I studied the way
Todd’s black top stretched over his pecs, the gray scarf that hung in a loose
twist around his neck and the dark beanie perched on his head, covering his
soft, trademark blond hair. An annoying swell of lust expanded in my chest and
I willed the feeling not to travel down to my cock.
But
damn! Why does he have to look so edible?
“I’m
sorry for telling you to leave,” he said, looking back up at me. “You must
think I’m fucking pathetic.”
“No,
I just think you’re confused about your sexuality.”
“I’m
not.” He took three fast paces toward me. Stopped when he was so close I could
have reached out and touched him.
“I’m
not confused at all. I like guys, I like you.” He paused. “All this
running around with women over the years, okay, I’ve been attracted to them, a
few I even thought could be special. But, Matthew, there is something about you,
and that kiss. Fuck!” He tugged off his beanie and chucked it at the
counter. It landed on a box of biscuits. “For the first time in my life I feel
I can get the satisfaction I’ve been hunting for and never fucking finding.” He
paused and pulled in a deep breath. “I feel, with you, I can be the person I’m
meant to be.” He shook his head and his eyes looked heavy and tired. “Matthew,
I’m gay, bi, whichever slot you want to put me in. I’ve accepted that about
myself now, more than accepted it, I’ve known it for a while and I’m proud of it.”
He moved closer still. “So please say I haven’t ruined my chances with you
because of a knee-jerk reaction to something so powerful it took away my damn
ability to think.”
My
mind was swimming. “Todd, this is a lot to take in.”
“I
know. It is for me too.” He shoved a hand through his hair, causing it to stick
up in a messy but still über-trendy kind of way. “That’s the first time I‘ve
said it out loud.”
“What?”
He
swallowed, pulling his lips tight as he did so. “That I’m gay, into guys.” He
hesitantly rested his fingertips on my forearm.
I
gave a hint of a smile. He deserved recognition for his admission.
“And
whatever this is,” he said, “between us. It’s the first time I’ve been honest
enough with myself to go for it, and I’m excited and nervous but damn well
determined to see it through.”
His
touch left my arm, wound up through my black coils of chest hair and settled at
the hollow of my throat. Each part of my flesh that connected with his fizzed
and burned, a heated trail of longing that was sending blood racing to my cock.
There was no way I could stop an erection now. I was hardening by the second.
“Todd,”
I managed, my voice shaky as his presence engulfed me entirely. I could smell
his tangy cologne, feel his body heat seeping into my skin. He was all I could
see, hear, think about. He filled my mind, my thoughts. If I wasn’t careful he
would wheedle into a very delicate place in my soul. “Please, don’t make me
want you. It’s not fair, I just can’t—”
“Shh.”
He pressed his index finger over my lips. “Want me all you want, Matthew.
You’ve damn well got me.”
He
leaned forward and kissed me, those luscious soft lips of his pressing over
mine and his tongue prodding and peeking into my mouth and searching for
connection.
I
wanted to melt into him. Take everything. Grab him, fuck him, claim him. But I
couldn’t. My poor aching heart was screaming in confusion, those tight bolts
surrounding it since Tony had left were stiff and unyielding. “Todd.” I pushed
at his chest, my palms connecting with an immovable mass that didn’t budge an
inch.
“Matthew,”
he murmured, “give me another chance.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders,
pulling me close and squeezing me up against his body. “I won’t give you any
reason to doubt me.” He trailed kisses over my cheek until his mouth rested at
my ear and I could hear his choppy breaths.
I
weakened into his embrace. It had been so long since I’d been held like this.
In a way that was both protective and passion-infused. I felt my eyes sting.
Not that I was one for crying but there was a battle raging within myself.
Should I believe him when he said he wanted me or run for the hills? Jekyll was
wrestling Hyde, common sense fighting against longing and hope.
“Be
cool,” he whispered, stroking down my back in a soothing way. “Let me show you
how I feel.”
I
pulled away a fraction, just far enough to look into his eyes. I saw anxiety
and desire, and an honesty that made me want to fall to my knees. But I didn’t,
instead I allowed him to kiss me again. Hungrily, passionately and in a way
that cemented all of his words. Todd Carty did indeed want me, and in a
deliciously sinful way, if his wandering hands were anything to go by.
He
was touching my back, my butt, squeezing my ass cheeks through the towel,
checking out contours and firmness, learning my shape.
I
groaned, shut my eyes and tipped my head back as his wet kisses traveled down
my neck. My cock was in full ready-for-action mode, hot and rock-hard,
straining against the flimsy towel.
I
hissed in a breath as his kiss suddenly turned sharp and nipping. He sucked
hard at my skin, pulling flesh into the taut band of his mouth. I clung to him
and realized that I didn’t care, the thought of a hickey from Todd was
exquisite; it would remind me this moment had been real—later, when I was alone
again.
“Ah,
fuck, you taste amazing,” he rumbled, heading lower and kissing over my
collarbone.
Opening
my eyes, I saw the tousled locks of his hair by my chin. I could feel his
fingers brushing through my chest hair, tangling, tugging, sliding and circling
my nipples. I willed my weak legs to stay holding me upright, his hands on me
the most erotic thing I’d felt in such a fucking long time.
“I
want you, Matthew,” he said, dropping to his knees and curling his fingers over
the tucked-in section of towel.
About the Author:
Lily Harlem is a multi-published, award winning author
of contemporary erotic romance. She lives in the UK
with Mr H and a bunch of animals, all rescued, and loves to spend her days
immersed in imagination.
Her books are a mixture of full length novels and
short stories, some are one offs, some are sequels or part of a series (all can
be enjoyed as stand-alone reads). What they each have in common are colourful
characters travelling on everyone’s favourite journey — falling in love. If the
story isn’t deliciously romantic and down and dirty sexy, it won’t be written,
at least not by Lily. So with the bedroom door left well and truly open you are
warned to hang on for a steamy, sensual ride - or rides as the case might be!
Connect with
Lily Harlem
Website - http://www.lilyharlem.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/lily_harlem
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/lilyharlem/Pinterest
Thank you for featuring High-Sticked :-)
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