In the Still of the Night:Sexy Romantic Suspense (Book 2 The Blonde Barracuda's Sizzling Suspense Series) (33 page)

He stroked her cheek.

“Damn, look at you, Lexie. You have the whole city eating out of your hand. You’re their hero! They love your beauty and your spirit almost as much as I do. You’re the Blonde Barracuda. A wildly independent, smart crusader willing to take on the world. And as challenging as that is sometimes for an arrogant, over-protective asshole like me, it makes for a hell of a ride.”

His voice was somber.

“But Lexie, you have to learn to trust me. Trust that I’m not going cramp your style, steal your independence. Yeah, I’m a controlling son of a bitch. I’m used to giving orders. But I’ve learned that doesn’t work with you.

“I gotta let you fly. To do all the outrageous things you want and need to do.” The lines around his eyes crinkled as he added with mock seriousness, “With one condition. I get to approve your outfits.”

She felt her cheeks flush, embarrassed at the memory of the risqué outfit she’d worn last night. Remembering how he’d ripped it off of her sent a wave of tingling sensations tripping over her. The twinkle in his eyes confirmed he knew why she was blushing and agreed.

His voice dropped to a husky drawl. “Except, of course, when I’m making love to you. Then, I’m in charge. But you love that as much as I do, don’t you, baby?”

Jake’s eyes narrowed and his expression grew serious. “Lexie, we’ve both chosen to live dangerous lives. Last night we could have been killed. But that’s the choice we made. We’re determined to take down some very dangerous men and women. And they’re just as determined to stop us. It takes courage to do what we do. And maybe some recklessness.”

Jake pulled her closer to him. “As hard as it is, Lexie, we have to be willing to love each other, all the time knowing that something horrible might happen to one of us. That takes courage. But damn, Lexie, when it comes to putting yourself in danger, you’re the most courageous person I know. Now you have to be courageous enough to put your heart in danger.”

Lexie closed her eyes and allowed what he said to sink in. It was true. He was right. Every day she put herself in danger, determined to help women who weren’t as strong as she was. But Jake was asking her to be even stronger. No, he was challenging her. When she opened her eyes, Jake was smiling at her.

“What do you say, Lexie? Are you up to it? Gutsy enough to hook up with a guy who’s got the hots for you and won’t let you push him around like you do everyone else?”

She shook her head, a rush of emotion flooding her. As if she would ever give up this glorious man, no matter how challenging he was. But she couldn’t concede the point that easily. She tossed her head as if she hadn’t made up her mind.

“I don’t know, Jake. You promise you’ll marry me, even if I
misbehave
?”

He grinned, “Yeah, Lexie, I promise. Especially now that I have your permission to paddle your perky ass whenever you
misbehave
.”

Lexie flushed, remembering her fierce climax when he turned her over his knee and spanked her. She glared at him. “Just because it was…
interesting
, doesn’t mean I give you permission to whale on me whenever you feel like it!”

He gave her a salacious wink. “Oh no, baby, we’ll keep that for very special occasions.”

Lexie groaned. God, she was so over-her-head with him. Just that sexy glint in his eyes, and her insides streaked to attention. She nestled against his shoulder inhaling his intoxicating odor. He smelled spicy, like the tall Ponderosa Pines along the cliff, but even better. He smelled like a strong sexy man.

“Jake?”

“Yeah, Darlin’?”

“You know all those women you screwed?”

He groaned. “Oh damn, I should have known that was gonna come up.”

She laughed then bit down on her lip. “No, I have a different question.”

“Damn, honey. Do you have to do that?”

“What?”

“Bite on your lip like that? Just seeing that tongue of yours licking those sexy lips brings back some very erotic memories.” He quirked a brow and placed her hand over his willful cock. “See what I mean?”

She ran her finger along the length of his iron-hard arousal, delighting when it leapt at her touch. She hesitated and then persisted. “Those other women? Did you ever… ever…
take
them… on your bike?”

Jake frowned, then his eyes flared with understanding. His low sexy chuckle made her clench her legs together, which made him hoot with laughter.

He chucked her under her chin. “I’d be lying Darlin’ if I said I didn’t consider it. Hell, how hot is that? A racy woman and the sexiest goddamn bike….”

He shook his head. “But ultimately I decided I liked my bike better than I liked them.”

A flash of amusement flickered in his eyes. “Until now, that is.”

Grabbing the blanket, he folded it and laid it on the Ultra Glide handlebars. He scooped her up in his arms. “Here, Darlin’, this is a pillow for your head. The padded seat will work just fine for your ass.”

He stretched her out across the bike, then reached inside one of the saddle bags and pulled out their handcuffs. His voice was low, husky.

“Baby, I know those assholes tied you up, and I’ll understand if this is too much.”

Lexie squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the electricity zinging across her sensitized nerves, but couldn’t stop the soft moan that escaped her lips.

His chuckle was closer to a growl. “Hmm. Then again, maybe not?”

Twirling the handcuffs on one finger, he chortled, “Well then, Darlin’, we better put these on. This promises to be a wild ride. Wouldn’t want you to fall off.”

Her heart raced with excitement as he cuffed one wrist then the other, stretching her hands above her head and around the handlebars.

Jake gazed down at her, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“Only problem is, I have no bedposts to tie your legs to.”

He grinned at her, the sexy grin that made her stomach clench.

“Guess I’ll just have to put them up over my shoulders. Will that work for you, Darlin’?”

Somehow Lexie sucked in enough air to answer him.

“Yes, Jake, that will work.”

“Then Darlin’, it’s high time we put this bike through its paces. I think we’ve just discovered its highest and best use.”

Afterword

Thank you for reading
In the Still of the Night
.
I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it. Jake and Lexie are powerful, challenging characters. They love as hard as they fight the evil in the world. I’m crazy about them both!

While this is a book of fiction, the horrendous world-wide sex trade is all too real. I chose to place this story in San Francisco because that is where Lexie’s “Strong Women Survive Center” is. San Francisco is doing yeoman’s work combatting the hideous implications of the international sex trade. But it will take all of us to end this travesty. Be aware!!

Be sure to read
Big Girls Don’t Cry
AND
Every Breath You Take
(Third book in the Lexie/Jake Trilogy!!Coming, January, 2013).They’re
HOT
!!

If you enjoyed
In the Still of the Night,
do me a huge favor. Go back to
www.Amazon.com
, and please leave an honest review. Authors live and die by their reviews. The few extra seconds it takes really helps us authors out. Thank you!

Other Works by Taylor Lee

Big Girls Don’t Cry

If you enjoyed
In the Still of the Night,
be sure to check out Taylor Lee’s Best Selling #1 Hot New Release in Romantic Suspense:

Praise for Big Girls Don’t Cry…

“Sizzling Romantic Suspense at its best! As the danger rages, their passions flare!”

~KDR

“Taking down an international drug ring? Solving a vicious murder? All in a day’s work for the sexy special agent. Taming an irresistible woman as tough as she is beautiful? Now that’s another story!”

~L. Takamia

“She’s an accomplished martial artist as fierce as she is beautiful. He sees the wounded woman beneath her tough exterior and is determined to protect her no matter how hard she resists.”

~J. John

To purchase
Big Girls Don’t Cry
, simply click
here
.

~~~

Nights In White Satin

The short story prequel to
Big Girls Don’t Cry

Praise for “Nights in White Satin”

“A Great 8,000 word short story prequel to the Bestselling Sizzling Romantic Suspense
“
Big Girls Don’t Cry
”.
Meet the men of the series: Jake, Brady, Clint and Anthony joined by an unforgettable undercover agent U.S. Army Captain Tiffany Anderson who kicks butt with the best of them!”

~SMT Reviews

“FIVE Sexy undercover CID agents root out a vicious U.S. Army Lt. Col. who uses his honored position to operate an international sex slave auction.”

~J. John

“A chilling romantic suspense with great characters, snappy dialogue, sexy alpha males and a gorgeous undercover agent bring down a vicious villain who is a disgrace to his uniform and his country.”

~RomanceRules

To purchase
Nights in White Satin
, simply click
here
.

~~~

Every Breath You Take

To be published January 2013

Third book in the Lexie/Jake Trilogy

The Action is HOT, the Romance is HOTTER!

~~~

Playing With Fire

The #1 Hot New Release in Romantic Suspense
AND
Hard Boiled Mysteries

Praise for
Playing with Fire
…

“A bad-assed cop who flaunts every regulation falls for the beautiful rookie firefighter only to discover she is his #1 suspect in a double murder.

~KDR

“A rookie firefighter escapes an abusive past only to find herself accused of setting the fire that kills her husband and his mistress. A heroine that will tug at your heartstrings and a hero that is as outrageous as he is irresistible.”

~RomanceReads

“Cops AND Firefighters? An alpha – male lovers delight. A SEXY kick-ass hero and a beautiful, vulnerable woman in a life and death face-off can’t resist their voracious appetite for each other. This is one SIZZLING romantic suspense!”